What is the best way to respond to this? (Job search related).

I’ve written previously about trying to change careers. I’m a retail manager at a wine store and this fall I went back to school as a nursing student. In October my grandmother got very sick and died. The combination of family responsibilities and long work hours didn’t leave me much time to study, and I withdrew from all of my classes.

About three months ago I also started going to AA meetings and quit drinking. I’ve poured a LOT of time and effort into learning about wine, and it is still one of my strongest job skills. Weirdly, I don’t feel all that tempted to drink, even being around wine all day. Wine has become more like an academic subject.

My current job has a lot of unreasonable demands, like sometimes skipping weekends or working six days a week with little notice. I’m planning to change jobs after Christmas is over, whatever else happens. No service industry job is great for work/life balance, but my boss is definitely worse than normal about it. We stay open on days when even other stores are closed, like during winter weather emergencies and on major holidays. My going plan is to find a job with better work/life balance after Christmas is over.

One of the best wine stores in the city e-mailed me this afternoon, saying they found my resume on indeed and would like to discuss an opening. The position is to be the manager of operations for both their wine shop and wine bar. This place is freaking awesome. It’s so highly regarded that I’ve seen openings there before and been afraid to apply, thinking that I didn’t stand a chance. The position is a bigger responsibility, and I don’t know if their company culture is better, but I think it’s worth going to the interview.

Typically you’d send in a resume and cover letter. If they reached out first, how do I word my e-mail to them? I’m also honestly not sure how to explain my career plans to them. But it’s such an amazing opportunity, it seems like I should at least investigate it. Thoughts?