Letter: Marine Decorator
Dear Deb:
I have a client who is retiring from the Marines, and wants to go into Interior Decorating. He is very motivated to work in his “Field Of Fascination”, but we have been unable to get an interview. He has a degree in Interior Design and was responsible for decorating several military building while in the Marines.
My guess is that most executives of Interior Design companies perceive that your client’s taste will produce a “military look”, and don’t want that. However, the client may have decorated Officer’s Clubs or offices in a style very different than they are imagining. I have several suggestions to help you deal with the mythology the client is facing, so employers can seriously consider him.
Hidden Market Approach – Find companies which match the client’s design style, then submit a letter to the Manager outlining his top 3 to 5 selling points and well-presented photos of several rooms he has decorated. Do not submit a resume, allowing him to avoid sharing specifically where he got his experience until after he has shown his portfolio in the interview.
Open Market Approach – Answer an ad by submitting the client’s resume and a cover letter which states, AI realize that although many people hold stereotypes about Marines, excellence in interior design is not one of them. However, I think you will agree that if I can take a military facility and make it look like the enclosed picture, I am a skilled interior designer. Plus, I always get the job done on schedule. I look forward to an opportunity to meet you and show you the rest of my work.
Create A Market – If the client’s style does have a “military look”, you could submit a proposal to the military suggesting that they contract with him, find other industries which might appreciate the function and clean lines of his style (i.e. education, manufacturing, etc.) And approach them with proposals for projects, or brainstorm why the “military look” should go mainstream and create a proposal letter which can be submit to Interior Design companies or directly to companies which could hire an Interior Designer.
Photo by Jackie (sister72)
Technorati Tags:
decorator, design, hidden, interior, letter, marine, market, open
