Speculation letters - are they worth it?

tabskitten

Anyone had any luck getting a job overseas by sending speculation letters?

cazziebo

tls1974 wrote: »

I think it does depend a lot on the industry your hubby is targeting.

I've done a fair bit of recruitment within the IT industry and can honestly say that, judging by the companies I've worked for, speculative CVs are lucky if they even make it past HR.



Best of luck!

I would advise never ever to go to HR - they act as gate keepers. If you are a specialist - production, IT, admin, chemist, whatever -then try to find out the functional head. Get their interest, and they'll instruct HR to progress the application. You can only do this with tailored applications so if it's IT then know the technologies. If its a PM role then know the methodology - six sigma or Prince 2 or whatever.

(PS - I used to be an HR person -so no offence to HR people. Well not much...;))

MrsB2100

cazziebo wrote: »

Agree with this. Twice I've got jobs by speculative applications.

As oldernotwiser says - nothing to lose. You are taking the right approach by tailoring letters.

(trick I used to use to get names - it's not very ethical but there have been times in the past I've been pretty desperate. Call up and say you are holding an event at the City Chambers/Town Hall/other interesting prestigious venue. You want to invite the IT Manager, HR Manager, Admin Manager- whoever the relevant person is. What's their name for the guest list please? Nearly always worked!)

Thanks for this tip - never thought of this before!

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I guess it's not going to hurt to try - at least it's something! I wont expect any replies though.

DH is a goods in inspector, but no experience of tools - visual inspection only. We're trying (he's trying I should say - I write the letters!) but the job market as it is means theres hardly anything out there!

I'll let you know if he gets anything!

Thanks again for your comments.

woody01

MrsB2100 wrote: »

Hello, I wanted to get some opinions on whether sending speculation letters (as opposed to emails) is worth the time and effort involved? Hubby has been out of work for a year now, no JSA anymore as I work full time, so pointless him wasting the bus fare to get there for no money, hence he's no longer signing on.

All the usual avenues to secure employment arent working, so I wonder whether spec letters are the next step forward perhaps? I understand that companies are probably swamped with emails, so I'm hoping to tailor his CV to fit and gear the letter up for their business. I've tried to get a name I can address to directly, but sadly no one's giving out names these days.

Any advice would be appreciated - thank you!

(I'm at work at the mo, so will sign on again tomorrow and see what people think with regards to this)

I run part of a large multi-national and i can honestly say i am impressed with people if they send a specualtive letter!
It shows they want to work and it also show a form of initiative.

I have someone starting Monday that sent a letter like this only 3 weeks ago, and he was just what i was looking for, and i got the added bonus of not paying an agency a small fortune to find someone for me.

Keep it going and it will pay off.


BUT
I will not entertain people that just turn up or call to speak to me.
If they think i have time there and then, they obviously have little regard or thought for a busy day

MrsB2100

woody01 wrote: »

I run part of a large multi-national and i can honestly say i am impressed with people if they send a specualtive letter!
It shows they want to work and it also show a form of initiative.

I have someone starting Monday that sent a letter like this only 3 weeks ago, and he was just what i was looking for, and i got the added bonus of not paying an agency a small fortune to find someone for me.

Keep it going and it will pay off.


BUT
I will not entertain people that just turn up or call to speak to me.
If they think i have time there and then, they obviously have little regard or thought for a busy day

Thats a very ghood point - one I hadnt thought of (regarding the turning up or calling). I had thought of ending the letter with "I'll call in a week to discuss further" in the hope that they'd call him (or email) just to acknowledge the letter.

Would you say it helps to have the letter personally addressed? Or would Dear Sir suffice for such a letter? (Addressed to the QA Manager or Stores Inspector) ... I would really appreicate your insight here!!

DCFC79

Did you see the one show earlier, there was a guy who was unemployed again and he went out armed with x amount of cv's and went to alot of places eg fast food place, retailers like boots/superdrug,

woody01

MrsB2100 wrote: »

Thats a very ghood point - one I hadnt thought of (regarding the turning up or calling). I had thought of ending the letter with "I'll call in a week to discuss further" in the hope that they'd call him (or email) just to acknowledge the letter.

Would you say it helps to have the letter personally addressed? Or would Dear Sir suffice for such a letter? (Addressed to the QA Manager or Stores Inspector) ... I would really appreicate your insight here!!

I cannot tell you enough that you really do not want to be calling anyone or turning up. It may make you think you look keen, but to a potential employer it's really irritating.
Do not end you letter like that as i can 100% guarantee it will go straight into the bin.
Start it 'Dear Sir/Madam'.
End it with 'If there is an opportunity you feel would be mutually suitable, then please do not hesitate to call me.'
Address it to 'Site Manager' or 'Quality Manager'. If you had my name i would want to know how.

Good Luck

MrsB2100

Woody, you are a STAR! :A :A :A Thank you so much for your help with this! I'm going to be on the case all over this weekend, posting on Monday / Tuesday. I'll let you know how we get on. :beer: :beer: :beer:

woody01

MrsB2100 wrote: »

Woody, you are a STAR! :A :A :A Thank you so much for your help with this! I'm going to be on the case all over this weekend, posting on Monday / Tuesday. I'll let you know how we get on. :beer: :beer: :beer:

Cheers for that!
I usually get called all sorts of things, but Star is never one of them

DKLS

2 of my current staff were hired based on a spec letter. It helped that their timing was impeccable, I landed a contract which required a staff member with a specific skill set and the day after a spec letter arrived for a chap with the exact skill set required.