strange letter...

If this was a paper letter delivered by "snail mail," then the sender (who is obviously and obliviously young) is out of touch with reality. Text messages and anything sent via a computer, smart phone or over the internet have inherent sender addresses and therefore a return address for the receiver of said message. The receiver has to do nothing except to reply to sender. But, for some reason, snail mail does not have this inherent ability! The post office surprisingly does not keep up with mail senders. That is the job of the letter writer. Duh!

The next course of action for you, then, is to "reply to sender." Write a very short response on the letter itself and stuff it back in the envelope it came in. See that round container on the floor next to your desk? That is your "outbox." "Send the letter sailing into that container and make a "whoosh" sound. Problem solved. Now, git back to work! B-)

Just to play the devil's advocate; I can appreciate a person of few words.

Prima fascia: this person is interested in surveying. At least they didn't waste ink telling about the insurmountable odds that were overcome just to get to the writing of the letter..or even worse, ask for a handout!

The unique content would immediately tickle my curiosity...

Send them a snail-mail reply that simply says "get a job on a survey crew". 😉

Not to be snarky, but maybe it was someone unemployed that had to claim that they had attempted to find employment that week. Maybe they took a picture before they mailed it.

On the flip side (not flippant), maybe it's just a person that lacks social and communication skills. To not at least leave a phone number or email address is really odd. But some people, especially young, you have to prod the heck out of them to get information out of them.

I'd like to think that I'm very good at putting myself into other people's "shoes" and because of that I know what information to include in most communications... but, I'm not perfect either.

If you're so inclined, just drop him a purdy "SANIBEL" post card and tell him to call you or drop by. Was he a local?

If you want to get on my bad side, start sending me unsolicited text messages. I despise those things.

> Sanibel Surveys:
>
> How does one start working in your field?
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Name signed in nice penmanship
>
> Name typed underneath.
>
>
>
If I had gotten such a letter, I's say find you a good woman, who wants to be a wife, and then find a good set of old RTK equipment. Get a good church, and get er going!

🙂

N

> This person is either completely bereft of social skills or perfect for the surveying world. Or both.

haha...:good:

So you got the letter?

Nice penmanship shouts pupil or at most early 20s to me. Maybe a kid told to find a professional, get information about how to get into that profession and do a report on it?

Does a young intern need a lot of social skills when learning the trade? My guess is this person assumed you to be a busy person so got right to the question. No chit chat, no filler, I admire people that have the ability to get right to it. This is your chance to illuminate.
Potentially get in touch with your year 2000 self and hand write a quick response just for the heck of it. It wasn't that long ago that we weren't too lackadaisical or dependent on our "devices" to do that type of thing.
You never know the Karma that might come from helping a potentially young interested mind.
Just saying...B-)
: )Have a great weekend

Yes, that's what I was thinking too. My reaction was maybe an older gent, though, given the penmanship and actual paper letter!

I would have expected any youngster to include electronic data.

Local address, nice apartment complex. Not on island, but close by.

I deduce:

1. no contact info
2. no personal information
3. completely bereft of social skills

a Beer Leg member!

but Name typed underneath. ... never mind

🙂

I get incomplete solicitations for a job too often. Can't blame the people though, but they always include some type of cover letter and resume. I always try and get back, thanks but no thanks. Then to the bin it goes.

Maybe Carl is right, he's just fulfilling unemployment requirements for seeking a job.

Back in the old days, I preferred the knocking on doors approach. That was then and this is now... things have gotten totally unpersonalized and antiseptic.

I received the same letter a month ago or so. I googled the guy and though I don't remember what popped up it was something that caused me to decide I didn't need to spend any more time on it/him. I would be more impressed if someone stopped in and asked if I had time to chat for a few minutes about how to get started in the profession. This guy's approach required too much effort on my part and not enough on his...

> >
> A letter consisting of exactly this typed text....
>
>
> Sanibel Surveys:
>
> How does one start working in your field?
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Name signed in nice penmanship
>
> Name typed underneath.
>
>
>
>
> No introduction, no contact info (other than address on envelope), no personal information, nothing else.
>

[sarcasm]No idle chit chat. Straight to the point. What the he!! do you want, candies and flowers?[/sarcasm]

Occasionally something like this starts the wheels turning...
Most schools these days have starting requiring students to perform 'real world' tasks. My daughter is required to attend a meeting of a public body and report on it every quarter. She also has to assemble a Professional Portfolio with milestones throughout the year. I've noticed these requirements are starting younger and younger.
Point being, this may be an out of touch unemployed goof or it may be an opportunity to educate and motivate a youngster. At the very least my curiosity would lead me to inquire if it were the latter. I suppose a few grey hairs and grand kids makes a person mellow in their thinking...

Well, perhaps reply in kind with a bit of levity, to wit:

"The same way I did".

Rhetorical market survey from your local chamber of commerce?

Rain day, here... too much time on my hands. B-)

>
> [sarcasm]No idle chit chat. Straight to the point. What the he!! do you want, candies and flowers?[/sarcasm]

ok, now that's funny right there!

I say hire him immediately. He has no experience so he has not been corrupted by others - you can train him to do EXACTLY what you want!