"Should I Send an Introduction Letter to a Federal Hiring Manager?" Three reasons I say: HECK NO!

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:19:28 -0500

I recently wrote an article titled: “5 Thoughts on Acquiring a Federal Job for Transitioning Military” (http://bit.ly/2mmahX1) and, as I had friends reviewing it, I got the question “Should I send an introduction letter to a federal hiring manager?” I have worked 36 years in the government both active duty, and a follow-on career in civil service, retiring twice with the US Army. I started as a Private, and ended as a GG-15, the highest manager grade in federal service. I have been both the job hunter and the hiring manager.

I have had many people over the years send me emails when I got promoted. Often, they had either their resume or a friend’s resume in that email with strong suggestion for me to review and hire when there is an opportunity. I am sure we all love people to tell you how to do your job, and most of us may not react well to that. Below are some of my thoughts on receiving these emails or conversations:

• Inferior package submitted: My first thought from an applicant that contacts me, or sends me more information than was asked for in the USAJOBS web-hiring portal, is that the applicant believes he/she has a weak package. The applicant is contacting me to get more information in front of me as a hiring manager. This is flat out not fair to the other applicants. Remember, most hiring managers were job hunters in the past. We all feel our package could have/should have had better information to make ourselves more competitive. Even if you know you are missing information and it is past the deadline, suck it up, and move on. Do better on the next application.

• Ethical standards: You send me an email or chat with me at a unit gathering trying to give me more information to make your package better looking. My first thought is what I wrote above, but my reaction here is that this person thinks that I am morally corrupt! They think they can gain illegal influence? I, and most hiring managers, worked hard to get to our positions with strong ethical standards as civil service employees. Managers are getting closer to retirement and most have families. Why would these people think I would endanger my job, family, and retirement for someone I probably do not even know? We got to our positions by doing right and being fair. Giving assistance to one applicant over the others is not fair. As I’ve stated in the past, I often had 200 qualified resumes per position.

• Sting operation: My third reaction is one where I become curious as to why this person is asking for an illegal and improper favor during job hunting. There is the possibility that person, who is asking me for a hiring favor, is also working as part of a sting operation with the Inspector General Office, or a criminal investigative body.

All of this is going through my head when the nice person at the party approaches me, or someone sends an email that says, “Should I send an introduction letter to a federal hiring manager?” My answer is always without a doubt: HECK NO!!

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About the Author: James Lint recently retired as the civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity, which recently awarded the 42nd scholarship for national security students and professionals. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence within the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, contractor, and DHS & DoEnergy civil service.

2mmahX1)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2017 1:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:23:56 -0500

Thank you for this article. I do not plan on transitioning any time soon; however, I will add this recommendation to my tool kit down the road.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 22 at 2017 1:25 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:25:30 -0500

Interesting write up.

What advice would you give to someone to ensure he/she puts together the best package possible without having to ask you for such a favor?

Response by CPL Crystal Pettway, MBA made Feb 22 at 2017 1:32 PM

CPL Crystal Pettway, MBA — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:32:44 -0500

Helpful. Thank you.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Feb 22 at 2017 3:26 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 15:26:04 -0500

Excellent information for the future. Although some may think that they can get ahead of the game, it is obvious if you are a hiring manager that being objective is the first and foremost item of concern. After reading this, there are some serious lessons learned. Thanks for the update.

Response by SSgt Wes ODonnell made Feb 22 at 2017 3:39 PM

SSgt Wes ODonnell — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 15:39:39 -0500

Great read Jim, thanks for posting.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 22 at 2017 5:05 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:05:35 -0500

Good points. I'd add "Doesn't understand the process", "fell for Urban Myth", etc. when I get sidebar stuff. Funny thing was I could never get HR to put in "Don't contact anyone other than... HR Specialist whatever". Then it'd tell me "Can't follow directions". A lot of this stuff goes away when the announcement is explicit on what's required, anything else don't submit, etc. is included. HR people don't want to do it because it isn't welcoming. So us hiring managers get stuck with the results of their PCnoia.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 22 at 2017 6:00 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:00:07 -0500

not needed for Federal Job... because they have a set of requirements and standards... But the Civilian world... it is a Polite Introduction...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 22 at 2017 6:41 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:41:55 -0500

Lots of places don't even read intro letters, even if they require them with the application

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 22 at 2017 6:55 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:55:32 -0500

Absolutely true! Anything like an introduction letter or email sent during a hiring process always went into my trash/deleted box.

Response by SGT David T. made Feb 23 at 2017 11:26 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:26:14 -0500

I never found the need to send an introduction letter. I have been in the civil service for 6.5 years now and went from GS-05 to GS-12 just using the USA Jobs portal and following the directions. Another thing, make sure you talk to the things they are looking for in the announcement and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY! If they ask you for a document make sure you provide it. It does not matter if you think you need it or not. I also rewrite my resume for each specific announcement. Like most veterans, my military experience was pretty diverse so I have to focus on different aspects depending on what I am applying for. On average, my rewrites take me about 4-6 hours to tailor it to the specific job. Also make sure you talk to the questions in the questionnaire.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Feb 24 at 2017 1:44 PM

CPO Greg Frazho — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:44:33 -0500

I don't envy you your job, sir. Two hundred applications per opening is an incredible workload for one person and what I liken to winning the lottery, from the prospective employee's point of view. When I applied at Union Pacific, they told me that there were more than 400 applications for one job in Las Vegas. Needless to say, I didn't get the job and I applied for it several times.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 6:01 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:01:22 -0500

I went to see a guy here when I retired and got moved in. He was suppose to assist military members transitioning into civilian life and helping us with finding jobs we were qualified for. He didn't do anything except have me fill out some paperwork and show me where the application computers were. My father was military and I was in the military at 17. I had no clue how the civilian world worked. I didn't even understand what some employers were asking for.
I was totally unaware at the time the enormous opportunities available at the post office for retirees. He never mentioned it. I have never heard of a federal hiring manager. What is that?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 6:26 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 18:26:14 -0400

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Dec 17 at 2017 12:44 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 12:44:18 -0500

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint, very good article! Thanks for the wise words regarding federal hiring practices. Like you, I've been in both positions. Your perspective is well-received!

Response by SPC Jim Johnson made Jan 5 at 2018 9:19 PM

SPC Jim Johnson — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:19:27 -0500

I agree that you did the right thing. Its up to us as individuals to complete those packages to the best of our ability. Not for use to come begging for something we have not earned.