How should I contact my ex-boss?

[Conundrumish]

I have had a 9 year career break and am thinking of contacting the boss I had 11 years ago. I haven't had anything to do with him, since bar an exchange of Christmas cards the first Christmas I left (gah - should have carried on networking!).

I want to offer to go back to work on a no salary basis just to get my hand back in, for a few months, but I feel hopelessly out of date with what the appropriate way to contact someone in a business context is nowadays.

Should I:

a) write and letter and attach CV (would have done this 11 years ago)

b) e-mail him with CV and letter attached as word doc (but what if he doesn't bother to open letter and realise I am offering myself for free?)

c) put the letter in the main part of the e-mail and attach CV?

I wouldn't bother attaching the CV at all. If you haven't worked for 9 years, he must already be familiar with most of your work history (except maybe your last job). I would just send him an email saying that you have had a break, are interested in getting back into the job market and that you would like to refresh your knowledge by working voluntarily for him for a while.

Shame you gave up on the Christmas cards though! I think my return to work a number of years ago was due to Christmas cards!

Thanks Ann - yes, shame about the cards!

telephone him first!

General point on networking and gathering your contacts - get yourself on Linked In and start searching for people. Bit like FB but no annoying status updates and can really work for people. Bloke I know returned to New York (his home) after 15 months travelling right after the Lehman collapse, searched and searched for jobs, no joy. Posted his CV etc on Linked In and got headhunted by Bloomberg! More and more employers are using it but its a great way to get in contact with ex-colleagues, see what they're up to now and hopefully get some leads - all without saying those immortal words - Gis A Job!

Thanks ViveLeCliche.

Not sure I want to speak to him yet Hairytriangle - I think I will explain my situation better on paper at this stage.