# Adressing a job letter to a former boss **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adressing-a-job-letter-to-a-former-boss/373118 "2006-09-18T00:14:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adressing-a-job-letter-to-a-former-boss/373118/1 "2006-09-18T00:14:57Z")
sequence of events: I get a job at company A (years pass) Company A hires a manager for my department (years pass) Manager leaves company Company B buys company A Ex-manager starts up company C (may have happened before b buying A) Company B lays off a lot of people including me. I get a job at company D 5 years later, company D lays me off Friends and ex-coworkers (from company A/B) tell me there are openings at company C So, If I sent a letter\* to ex-manager asking for an interview, do I adress it to Mr soanso? I NEVER called him Mr so-and-so, only by his first name. But a this type of letter IS usually formal. Brian \*actually, my friend sent me the manager’s emaiul. Said manager does know my situation. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adressing-a-job-letter-to-a-former-boss/373118/2 "2006-09-18T00:17:28Z")
If you’re on a first-name basis, give him a call and ask. Then send a formal letter in to whomever actually handles the hiring (HR, his boss, whatever) and be sure to include in the letter that you were encouraged to submit an application by your friend (use his first and last name here). Definitely call and let him know what you heard, and that you’re interested. That way he can put in a word for you, or warn you off if it’s not the kind of thing you want to be walking into. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adressing-a-job-letter-to-a-former-boss/373118/3 "2006-09-18T14:31:45Z")
I’m pretty sure he is the person who will do the hiring. > [@my friend](#): > > We \ are trying to find more good people. I talked to \ and he would like for you to get in touch. > [@my friend](#): > > Good to hear you were looking at us. This is a good company to work for. I’d be glad to help facilitate you getting in touch with \ if you want, otherwise, just send him an email at \, or leave him a message at the office \ Brian ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adressing-a-job-letter-to-a-former-boss/373118/4 "2006-09-18T15:08:12Z")
I say call him and ask him.