Location Transport

My Dream Job is SOOOOO close I can taste it..Please Advise !!?

I live in Alberta Canada. Very recently, I submitted an application for quite a prestigious Government job with the Ministry of Transportation. It is in the business planning department, basically a high level department that constructs the annual operational activities of the entire department. Its a CUSHY, well paying position. I am very qualified for the job, and recently had a very good interview. Here is the interesting part: I had the interview yesterday, and went I went to look up the current business plan, I notice that the newly elected MINISTER of the department was one of our best clients at a financial services company. He was actually my boss's client and I had numerous dealings with him myself. This was about 5 years ago, so he might not remember my name. What would be the BEST method of approaching a Government Cabinet minister and advising him that I am applying for the same type of role for his Government. He is basically my ex boss' next door neighbor.

Public Comments

1. Write your own letter of introduction and drop it off at his office. He will redirect it as is necessary. While the body could be rather informal, the titles and salutation should be more traditional. Mentioning your business relationship to his subordinates is quite acceptable, but the letter should be held as personal until the recipient elects to make it public. Good Luck.
2. Since you had a good interview and are qualified for the job, I would get hired on those merits. Try not to use knowing a higher official as a reason to get a job especially a job in government. This can work against you because most elected government officials don't really want to be known to "play favorites". Let his underlings hire you, if they are going to but leave his name out of it. After you're hired, then you can introduce yourself as a person that he might know. Using his name and position to get a CUSHY job makes him and you look unprofessional as well as unethical. Good luck.