Inquiry Letter

Inquiry Letter is a letter written to request information and/or ascertain its authenticity. A letter of inquiry deals with various matters like job vacancies, funding, grants, scholarships, projects, sales, pre-proposals and others. The term is common in various business setups as it implies fund request or pre-proposal information. Owing to this usage, the term may be considered exclusive to these setups alone. But that is not the case, to this effect the below definition offers a justified meaning.

Inquiry Letter Definition
A document requesting information sent on behalf of an individual or an organisation for their own respective purposes, which can be mutually beneficial to the recipient and the sender.
The term ‘Inquiry’ is same as ‘Enquiry’. The former is more commonly used in U.S. and the latter one is more common in U.K. There are some other terms which represent the letters; these are Letter of Intent, Letter of Interest, Query letter, Prospecting Letter,Pre-proposal Letter and Concept Paper. The term ‘Cover Letter’, ‘Business Letter’, ‘Request Letter’ and ‘Sales Letter’ is also applied to an inquiry letter especially when the objective is same as that of letter for inquiry.
A letter of inquiry serves to facilitate business operations and satisfaction of the sender. Inquiry letters remove any misunderstanding and are time savers, especially when two parties want to reach an understanding. The communication towards this effect resolves the issue without any delay. With relation to it being a ‘Pre-proposal letter’, the inquiry letter is also termed as a ‘Condensed Version of a Proposal’. It is the outcome of the purpose of the letter which highlights the points of a proposal instead of a full-fledged proposal.
On an individual’s basis, these letters are sent to companies that are willing to hire but haven't advertised job openings. It can also be a letter addressed to editor in-charge of a publication proposing certain literary work. It can be a letter from a student who is vying for a seat in a college or a business that provides an internship. So, the objective of an enquiry letter is same but its projections and audiences are different. Same goes for its method of delivery, it can be sent via paper mail or electronic mail.


Example:

Inquiry Letter for Possible Job Openings

Beyonce Jackson
Viale Europa 22
00144 Roma RM
Italy
90896879
jacksob@mail.com

December 20^th, 2012


Carla Truman
Human Resource Secretary
Conservation Italia
Ufficio Roma Trullo
Casella Postale 1234
00149 ROMA RM
Italy

Dear Ms. Truman,

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed. Wise words from a wise man - Mahatma Gandhi. These are not just words; these are instructions to lead a life in the wisest manner. I believe in it and I follow it ardently. Myself - Beyonce Jackson and for the past 5 years, I have worked for ‘Caracal Foundation’ in India as Chief Conservator. My contract with the foundation is about to end in about 4 months. I love animals and try every bit for their welfare. That is the reason why I chose to become a Conservator.

Wildlife has always been my passion since childhood and I would photograph them and read about them all through my school and college days. In fact, I was nicknamed ‘Wild Jackson’ for my achievements in bird watching competitions, drawing, painting and anything concerned with wildlife. I would often cerate wildlife posters and banners whenever required. I only read wildlife books in the library.

At the college level I started photographing the local wildlife and was positioned 3^rd in the Wildlife Yearly Competition. I even attended the ‘Conservation Week’ organised by the local SPCA (Society for Protection against Cruelty towards Animals. My article on Lake Orta was also published and appreciated in the monthly ‘Wildlife’ magazine.

I am well aware that you have not offered any jobs or advertised for the same but it is my strong feeling that I will get an opportunity in your foundation sooner or later. And whenever that happens please do contact me. I am sure I will live up to your expectations.

I have attached all the relevant documents for your consideration, please go through them. I am not boasting but I am merely making you aware of my apt suitability for the job.

Thanking You.

Sincerely,

Beyonce Jackson
Chief Conservator
Caracal Foundation

Encl. – Resume -1
           Copy of Reference Letter - 1
           Copy of Certificates - 10
           Copy of Honours - 8



References:

http://letters.targetstudy.com/inquiry-letter/

http://letters.targetstudy.com/inquiry-letter-for-possible-job-openings.html