Apologize to former boss for inadvertently burning bridges?

I agree with the others that this is overbearing, although well written. Definitely take out the second to last paragraph, as it really drives in a sense of confusion and maybe a little desperation (e.g., sharing how you fear you've ruined your chances, asking your boss to confirm that, and then going on to say that you aren't exactly sure what your mistakes were after you just wrote about how you've recognized your weaknesses and have improved). And in your closing sentences, you mention that your former employer spoke with you about your over-enthusiasm, yet from the very beginning of the letter, your over-enthusiasm is very apparent.

Also, your emphasis on what you may have done wrong after your layoff will do you more harm in the long-run, especially considering that you aren't even sure that your ex-employer is even thinking these things. Maybe there were other reasons that lead to your layoff and not getting rehired that had nothing to do with you personally, but now you're about to open a whole can of worms with this.

I would definitely tone the letter down in content and length. Keep it professional and not personal, letting your former employer know your availability, should new work come in.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that you find a position (whether this one or a new one) that works best for you.

Are you the same guy who posted a letter last month or so wanting to get re-hired after mouthing off/taking out your anger on your boss upon hearing you would be let go? If so, you really turned this letter around and actually made it, more or less, good (I am only reluctant about committing to stating it is all around awesome because some of it is too cheesy, brown nosing, and at times -- phony -- for my tastes). Well done if that was the case.

In the end, while this is a pretty well written letter, it is a lot to read (far too much, and boring). It is not something you send someone. Please phone your former boss, and meet with him in person. If you feel compelled to tell him all you did in this email, then you can then. These kinds of things should be stated in person, not in written form.

Best of luck.

Let me start off by saying that this is a very well written letter. But even in the e-mail, you yourself admit that it's too personal, so basically what you're doing is perpetuating the (perceived) problem, and continuing the behavior that you believe to be at the root of your problem. Also, you're basing everything on the assumptions about what you THINK is the reason you haven't been asked back...and that may not actually be the case at all. It would be very embarrassing for you to lay bare your soul to this guy...only to find out that he actually thinks you're simply a substandard employee. I'm certainly not saying that's the case...I'm just trying to look at this from all possible angles. I really just don't want you coming away from this, losing your dignity to a man who, for all intents and purposes...simply doesn't care one way or the other.

I didn't understand all of the technical jargon pertaining to what you do for a living, but I can tell you that it sounds to me like you have a more than adequate subset of skills to find employment with another company in the same industry. It may simply be that your time with this particular company has run its course. As much as you don't want to hear this...I suggest you take what you've learned from this experience, and start fresh somewhere else. And I wish you luck.

How did you burn the bridges? I'm not sure. So if you are apologizing for doing it, I don't see what you did other than send spam emails, which I would not confess to doing if he didn't know you did it. You come off looking a bit weird.

It's way too long and it's obnoxious in length.

It's well written, don't get me wrong. Good sentence structure and all that, but, too long. If you say you know you need to stop sharing your feelings -- then don't do it in this letter because that's what you are doing.

I think what you really need to do is simply ask if you can come back to work, and open dialogue with him about it. Call him up. An email can be deleted and a letter can be thrown out.

Why not just call him and let him know that you are really anxious to come back to work. Keep it short and simple and professional. You can follow up with a short note in a week or two, but don't ramble on like you did here. Keep the note short and positive.

OMG! If a former employee sent me that, that is just what he would stay-former. Get it down to one short paragraph. That is a bore. For heaven's sake-do NOT remind him of any flaws you had!