What to include in a cover letter for a former employer?

by Jo
(Mccormick, SC)

I left one state to take care of sick parents and I want to go back to my old job.

Response from Carl: Thanks for the question, Jo. If your former employer is aware of the reason you left and you're dealing with the same person/people who you worked with in the past, the cover letter might be something you do after calling them directly. The first thing I'd do is call my former employer and speak to the correct person to indicate my interest in returning. Maybe you don't need to go through the cover letter/resume submission process since they already know you.

If you do need a resume and cover letter, I'd make sure I indicated the reason I left and my reason(s) for wanting to return. I'd remind them of several accomplishments I was responsible for before I left, too.

Again, the first thing I'd do is call the hiring manager at the company directly to make my intentions known, assuming you haven't already done this.

Carl