Cover Letter - position open due to death

MaggieXi · #1 05-31-2011, 07:59 PM

Ok, so my husband was notified of a recent job that really piqued his interest and would be a great career move. However, the job was recently vacated because the previous person suddenly died. It's been about 2 weeks since the death. The position has not posted, but he has heard from people in the organization that it is vacant. So here's my question GCers: 1. When is appropriate to apply for the job (apparently the person who died was bff with the person who is in charge of filling the position) and 2. Do you address the death in the cover letter, and if so how?

DrPhil · #2 05-31-2011, 08:09 PM

How sad. This is a tough one.

Part of me wants him to wait until they formally announce the available position. If they don't formally announce it, that could mean that they think it's too soon to do so OR they are getting rid of the position altogether and placing the deceased person's responsibilities under another's title.

If he insists, he can carefully express interest but do so under the guise of helping out the company and honoring how hard this now deceased person worked for this company. People aren't stupid, so they know that he just wants the position, but it's a difference in tone. I guess acknowledging the person's passing is important and could be done in the introduction of "I am so sorry for the untimely passing of...." I could be completely wrong but that's my initial suggestion.

DeltaBetaBaby · #3 05-31-2011, 08:41 PM

Does your hubby have an ally on the inside? Ideally, there'd be someone willing to approach the hiring manager to say something like "Hey, Marge, I know you're still pretty shaken up about Joe, but I have a lead on a replacement and wanted to let you know, because I thought it might make a really tough task easier on you. Can I get you a copy of his resume?"

BluPhire · #4 05-31-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Does your hubby have an ally on the inside? Ideally, there'd be someone willing to approach the hiring manager to say something like "Hey, Marge, I know you're still pretty shaken up about Joe, but I have a lead on a replacement and wanted to let you know, because I thought it might make a really tough task easier on you. Can I get you a copy of his resume?"

This.

If you have an inside person, go for it.

If not, wait till it is posted.

southbymidwest · #5 05-31-2011, 10:38 PM

It could also be that the company does not have a detailed job description for this opening-if it is a small company, the deceased may have been in the position for a while, and they didn't worry about it-after all, they were happy with the way he did his job, there were other fires to fight, they would get to a detailed position description some other time. Now they are trying to pull together that job description, deal with the shock and grief, and determine if there are components of the job that should be given to someone else or incorporate other duties and responsibilities into the position.

DubaiSis · #6 06-01-2011, 04:28 AM

If he personally knows either the deceased or the hiring manager, I'd acknowledge the loss. Otherwise I don't think I would. I could see that seeming like he's an ambulance chaser.

In this economy, I don't think he should wait for "the appropriate time," but he needs to be extra super careful that his cover letter and any personal references (friend on the inside) are polite and to the point. "so, I hear the guy croaked. Can I have his job?" is probably not the way to get that position. But I'm sure you know that. I like DBB's take on this. Since he heard of a job that isn't yet posted, it must be from someone on the inside. I think the best approach is to have that person go to bat for him. Best of luck!

MaggieXi · #7 06-01-2011, 10:08 AM

He does have an in with the company. He is going to try and talk to him today to get a better feel for when it will be appropriate to submit his resume. He has already been told that they will be filling the position and that the person would have to be in place by September.

ForeverRoses · #8 06-01-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieXi

He does have an in with the company. He is going to try and talk to him today to get a better feel for when it will be appropriate to submit his resume. He has already been told that they will be filling the position and that the person would have to be in place by September.

I get general coverletters all the time that just say "please consider me for any open positions" and just let the hiring manager figure out if he is a fit. In this case, that might be best. I had to help fill an opening due to a death a few years back, and even now when we get junk mail in my former collegues name some people get upset.

But if he has an in with the company, it might be wise to just have the "in" submit his resume for him as a referral- and the contact might even get a referral bonus out of it.