Requesting an Interview about a Company

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Aim:
This page is to help you plan a letter or e-mail to a company requesting an interview to find out more details about that company (not requesting a job interview).

On this page: Guidelines | Example letter

Your text should have the following content:

  1. If it is a letter, put your address, the date and the company's address at the top left-hand side of the letter.
       
  2. Write a salutation: e.g. Dear Sir or Madam, OR Dear Ms Wong. It is better if you know the name of the person you are writing to.
      
  3. Write a subject heading; e.g. Request to interview you about your company
    In a letter, this subject heading goes below the salutation. In an e-mail it goes in the Subject box.
      
  4. Write a paragraph about your situation; e.g. I am a student at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, studying ...
    As part of my course I need to find out about a company in our field.
        
  5. Describe your problem; e.g. I need to get first-hand information from an expert in the industry.
      
  6. Say why you selected this company; e.g. I am especially interested in your company because of its leading position in the field of ... AND / OR  My university lecturer, Dr... , recommended that I contact you.
       
  7. Suggest a solution; e.g. I would therefore be very grateful if you could grant me a short interview of about ... minutes.
       
  8. Tell the reader what questions you want to ask; e.g. I would like to ask you about the organisation of your company, how you market your products and services, and your opinion on why your company is successful.
       
  9. Describe what the information will be used for; e.g. Your answers will help me in my presentation on your company to my classmates and teachers.
      
  10. Describe how this would be good for the company; e.g. This would advertise your company to my classmates, who are potential members and employees in our industry, and to my teachers. It would therefore advance your company's reputation in the field.
      
  11. Describe the action you want; e.g. I will telephone you on Monday next week to arrange an interview time. OR I would be grateful if you would contact me at the above address to arrange a suitable time.
       
  12. Write a polite ending; e.g. Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation. I look forward to meeting you. OR I look forward to hearing from you.
       
  13. Sign off; e.g. Yours sincerely OR Yours faithfully
      
  14. Add your name, 'Student of ' and your subject, 'The Hong Kong Polytechnic University', and any other contact details not already included.

Here is an example letter:

Room 1031
PolyU Student Halls
Hung Hom
98764321

 

Attn: Mr L.M. Wong
ABC Company
P.O. Box 1234
Hong Kong

Dear Mr Wong

Request to interview you about your company

I am a student at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, studying English. As part of my course I need to find out about the English language requirements of a company.

I need to get first-hand information from an expert in the industry, and my university lecturer, Dr Smith, recommended that I contact you.

I would therefore be very grateful if you could grant me a short interview of about 20 minutes. I would like to ask you about the standards of English you expect from fresh graduates starting work in your company, what English language training you provide or support, and what kinds of documents you write in English in your company.

Your answers will help me in my presentation on your company to my classmates and teachers and will enable me to advertise your company to them.

I will telephone you on Monday next week to arrange a convenient interview time. Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation. I look forward to meeting you.

Yours sincerely

K.K. Leung

K.K. Leung
Student of English
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
k.k.leung@polyu.edu.hk

 

Last updated on: Friday, March 23, 2012