As a quick recap. I did an informational interview with a research and policy center back in March. I wasn't looking for a job at the time (seriously!), I was just trying to figure out if research and policy centers did what I actually thought they do (they do, and more!). I learned a ton from my meetings with the two co-directors and since the spring, have been learning more about research and policy. I've also been thinking more concretely about my future and what it is I actually want to do professionally and personally. I really like how this policy center operates, both in terms of its mission and how it thinks its recommendations should be accomplished. I also have realized that I'm no longer totally interested in the PMF and the glamor that is DC; I'd prefer to stay in City for a while where Honey has family and a job, and where I can really contribute to ongoing debates and projects.
Now that I'm about to move to City (T-minus a month), I figured I'd touch base, and at the same time, tell this group that I'd love to work/intern with them. (In March, one co-director gave me the opening and told me to check in with them once I moved to City. She may have said it off-handedly as a way to get me out of her office, but whatever. I still emailed them.)
Above I said worked on this email for weeks. This is no joke. However, I didn't work on it for more than an hour or so a day, and I really only touched it a few times a week. Still, I refuse to calculate how many hours I spent working on this—minutes/word, it was as depressing as grant writing. Luckily the Career Services counselor I worked with was amazingly patient and helpful and she really pushed me to write a strong letter. This is key—I worked very closely with a Career Services adviser. Go make friends with your Career Services people immediately. I literally visited my adviser once a week for a month.
In the process of writing essentially three different versions and countless sub-drafts, I learned even more about research and policy, I learned a ton more about this group I want to get involved with, and I learned the genre of “please-offer-me-a-job-even-though-you-aren't-advertising-an-opening-and-actually-you'll-probably-have-to-make-one-just-for-me”. Let me explain the genre using my final version.
First, the letter:
Dear Co-Director#1 and C-D#2,
I hope you both, and Policy Center, are doing well. Congratulations on your latest white paper, no doubt it will become another key guide for politicians, planners, and policymakers.
Thank you again for taking the time in late March to answer my questions about doing research and policy in State. I've reflected on our conversations and find myself coming back to a point you both made: analysts develop effective recommendations when they consult and collaborate with many different people. Having spent almost a decade talking with Residents about the global economy and the impact of local redevelopment programs, I was excited to learn of ways I might use my background to help strengthen State's future.
I will be relocating to City in mid-June and finish my dissertation there. As I establish myself in State, I would welcome any opportunity to assist Policy Center with its initiatives.
Many thanks again for all your useful information and advice this spring. Special thanks to C-D#2 for suggesting I contribute to Another Institute's call for essays—their Website posted my submission last week. I'm looking forward to moving to City, knowing that I will become part of a community that is working to ensure State and its residents reach their full potential.
With sincere regards,
Leadfoot
Leadfoot email signature with link to personal website (I mean my professional website with my CV and university address, etc. Not this blog website).
Here's the breakdown, so you don't have to suffer hours trying to figure it out yourself:
First paragraph: I used the opening paragraph to do the basic formalities, but also to indicate that I was up-to-date with their going-ons. The white paper was published just two weeks ago.
Second paragraph, 1st sentence: Identify myself and how we know each other. 2nd sentence: Career Services told me over and over “talk about them.” What did you learn about them? From them? What makes you excited about them? Talk about something concrete that you learned from them or that they do that you admire. After 15 versions, I finally got what Career Services was talking about. 3rd sentence, first clause: I'm gesturing towards my dissertation research (my expertise, if you will) without explicitly saying, "in my dissertation I demonstrate the skills you value." 3rd sentence, final clause: making the implicit connection between my expertise and the 2nd sentence (what about the group do I find exciting). The final clause also says, “hey, I too am engaged and want to be part of this scene”.
The majority of my revisions occurred in the second paragraph. At first I sounded very stand-offish and removed. One version included phrases like, “I'm impressed by the work you do” and “I look forward to witnessing the positive changes you do”. I want to be in the trenches doing similar kinds of work, but in trying to sound “professional” I actually just sounded detached. In fact, those early versions misrepresented myself and my goals.
Third paragraph: 1st sentence is purely about availability and my schedule (I don't have an exact date named because I'm not positive when I'll be fully moved). 2nd sentence, first clause: this clause essentially says I am serious; I will be around for a while and won't be leaving after 4 months. Final clause of the paragraph is a nice way of saying “please create a job/internship/volunteer opportunity for me”.
Final paragraph: 1st sentence begins the email wrap-up. 2nd sentence: Career Services brilliantly suggested I use this piece I recently wrote as an opportunity to a) show that their advice and suggestions really were helpful b) demonstrate that I can take advice and c) self-promote. 3rd sentence: another chance for me to express that I'm excited by whatever happens.
Here's the cliffnotes version:
paragraph 1: salutations and indication that I'm up on what they are doing
paragraph 2: make the case for paragraph 3
paragraph 3: please hire me
paragraph 4: gratitude for previous help and looking to the future.
It took me a month to figure out this genre and how to accomplish all these things in half a page or less. It was very reminiscent of writing a grant. Every word counts. Every sentence reinforces each other. And they can't be so complicated that it's unclear when read on a blackberry at the airport (which is where this email will very likely be received).
Let's hope I won't have to write too many more of these emails. But I'm not going to count on this email. I also have plans to start attending events in City that a) I'm interested in and that b) could plug me into important networks which c) if necessary, might get me a job down the road. Whew, there's a lot here! Hope you find something useful in all this mess. No word yet from Policy Group, but will keep you updated.
