.gif)
Career Basics Lesson #6 Speculative Applications
Sending a speculative or unsolicited application may be regarded as a time-consuming and haphazard method of job hunting. But if you're serious about securing a specific job and have a company in mind, there is no reason why you shouldn't try your luck.
1. Be realistic
Keep in mind that it is among the slowest and least reliable means of securing a new job, so if you're looking for a change of career in the near future you're far more likely to have success by using the normal channels (magazines, websites, recruitment consultancies, etc.).
2. Develop your contacts
Although the use of internet and press advertising is prolific, there are still a high proportion of vacancies that are never made public. The existence of this "invisible" jobs market is a compelling argument for the development and maintenance of a strong professional network. That way you may find out early that a job is coming up, or better still you may get a personal recommendation.
3. Do your research
Firstly, you will need to make sure that the company actually has a job role similar to yours, or at least includes a department where your role might fit. For example, there is absolutely no point in sending a beautifully written CV and covering letter when the company actually out-sources the position for which you are applying.
4. Make it personal
You should find out the name of the person in charge of recruitment for the department in which you are interested. A speculative application is meant to show the employer how much you want to work for their company and a generic letter addressed to "Dear Sir/Madam" doesn't cut it. You could look online for names either through the company's website or a search engine, asking in-store, telephoning the head office or by looking through the trade press.
5. Making contact
Once you have found out about the company and whom you need to approach, you have to decide how to contact them. You could send off a CV and covering letter, addressed to your point of contact, either at a branch or head office. Some companies prefer to be contacted by email so that your details can be saved directly to their database, whilst others are likely to take more notice of a postal application. You will have to decide which is the best method to approach your chosen company.
6. Other methods
Alternatively, you could telephone the company or visit in person. Exercise extreme caution before going for this latter option however. If you are tempted to 'drop in' to the office it would be wise to call ahead to see if it is OK to do so. If you don't, it is likely you will get a few funny looks before being asked to leave your CV with a receptionist.
7. Make an impression
Needless to say, make sure that your covering letter and CV are of the highest quality and tailor-made to fit the company to which you are applying. Your initiative will be appreciated; receiving such correspondence costs the company nothing and line managers are often impressed when someone shows the dedication and effort to go directly to them, so often the better applications will be kept in the talent bank should an appropriate role become available in the future.
8. Prepare for questions
Whether you decide either to call the company or to visit a branch, make sure that you have the answers to some generic questions prepared. Such questions might include "tell me about yourself", "why do you want to work for this company in particular?" or "what do you think you could offer us as an employee?"
9. Be sensible
Often, when researching speculative applications, you may come across stories about people sending in videos of themselves or creating mock newspapers, posters, songs and other gimmicks. Be warned: although this is certainly a way of drawing attention to your application, it is often for all the wrong reasons. A professional-looking, non-gimmicky CV and covering letter that shows good research and expresses a genuine interest in the company is far more likely to succeed.
10. Finally...
In all, do not expect to be successful on your first speculative application to a company, but treat the experience as an exercise in job hunting. Researching a company, building contacts, writing a tailored covering letter and sending off a professional looking CV are all skills that will benefit you in future job hunting.
