Speculative Job Letters - Any success stories?

Pennywise

AP007 wrote: »

So if a company has no jobs in accounts they are going to create one for me! LOL

Workload in many business isn't constant - there are quiet weeks/months and busier times. Staff come and go. Often, someone may leave at a quiet time and aren't replaced immediately, leaving a "gap" that can easily be filled by other staff short term. When the busy period comes around again, then they'll recruit for it. If you write in during the quieter time, then you're at the front of the queue and if you're suitable, they may give you the job ahead of their need, without advertising the vacancy.

You'd be surprised at just how many businesses have a very "fluid" workforce - with people coming and going, people being multi-skilled who can move between roles. Not all jobs and duties are fixed in stone - unless, of course you look no further than public sector where flexibility seems to be the exception rather than the norm.

AP007

Pennywise wrote: »

Workload in many business isn't constant - there are quiet weeks/months and busier times. Staff come and go. Often, someone may leave at a quiet time and aren't replaced immediately, leaving a "gap" that can easily be filled by other staff short term. When the busy period comes around again, then they'll recruit for it. If you write in during the quieter time, then you're at the front of the queue and if you're suitable, they may give you the job ahead of their need, without advertising the vacancy.

You'd be surprised at just how many businesses have a very "fluid" workforce - with people coming and going, people being multi-skilled who can move between roles. Not all jobs and duties are fixed in stone - unless, of course you look no further than public sector where flexibility seems to be the exception rather than the norm.

never would look for a role in the public sector as in accounts they say you always need public sector expereience.

I have worked for 9 companines in my time all where got from adverts and we never recruited via spec letters at all.

You say 'If you write in during the quieter time, then you're at the front of the queue and if you're suitable, they may give you the job ahead of their need, without advertising the vacancy. '

Are you assuming you are going to be held on a file somewhere? If so this file is a mystery as I have been 'on file' at several companies for years with no luck and have even seen jobs advertised. If they had all these people on file why the need for advertising and why say they are keeping you on file when they are not.

For all the ones that have 'kept me on file' I touch base with them every 3 months to let them know I am still looking and if they have anything, get in touch.

I know I am wasting my time totally

Aryndeneth

AP007 wrote: »

So if a company has no jobs in accounts they are going to create one for me! LOL

No, the point of a speculative application isn't to get a job created that doesn't exist. It's to find opportunities that do exist but, for whatever reason haven't been advertised. Maybe the company has just realised they have a new job or need an extra pair of hands and haven't advertised yet. They may interview from a speculative application and save the cost of advertising if the person is right.

Alternatively, there's a lot of career sectors, such as media, arts, PR and marketing, publishign etc. where speculative applications are often a very common way of finding the next role.

It's not about wishing a job out of thin air, it's about finding chances (yes, luck and timing play a part) that you wouldn't have found if you sat waiting for a job advert to appear online or in the paper.

AP007

Aryndeneth wrote: »

No, the point of a speculative application isn't to get a job created that doesn't exist. It's to find opportunities that do exist but, for whatever reason haven't been advertised. Maybe the company has just realised they have a new job or need an extra pair of hands and haven't advertised yet. They may interview from a speculative application and save the cost of advertising if the person is right.

Alternatively, there's a lot of career sectors, such as media, arts, PR and marketing, publishign etc. where speculative applications are often a very common way of finding the next role.

It's not about wishing a job out of thin air, it's about finding chances (yes, luck and timing play a part) that you wouldn't have found if you sat waiting for a job advert to appear online or in the paper.

then all the companies I have appraoched have had no jobs. I have never known someone in accounts to get a job this way.

Aryndeneth

AP007 wrote: »

then all the companies I have appraoched have had no jobs. I have never known someone in accounts to get a job this way.

As a job sector, accounts, finance and banking are amongst those that undertake the majority of their rectruitment more traditionally - an advertised post, job description and person spec etc. Speculative applications aren't the norm for this type of job so it's not surprising you've had less luck than people looking for work in other areas. But just because this method doesn't work for your particular career choice doesn't automatically rule it out for everybody else looking for different options.

AP007

Aryndeneth wrote: »

As a job sector, accounts, finance and banking are amongst those that undertake the majority of their rectruitment more traditionally - an advertised post, job description and person spec etc. Speculative applications aren't the norm for this type of job so it's not surprising you've had less luck than people looking for work in other areas. But just because this method doesn't work for your particular career choice doesn't automatically rule it out for everybody else looking for different options.

And it also doesn't mean what I am saying is rubbish. I do not work in accounts as in accountancy but accounts as in the job function and yes you are right all of these jobs for big or small companies are 99% of the time advertised.

So, I am still 'on file' at a number of places lol

Pennywise

AP007 wrote: »

Are you assuming you are going to be held on a file somewhere? If so this file is a mystery.

You can speak from your experience, but you have to accept that other people have their views/experiences also. In my case, when I was the finance director for a large factory, I recruited two people (over several months) for two newly created accounts jobs due to expansion of the firm. Both had previously written in "on spec" and their details had been held on file. When I decided to recruit, my first action was to ask for the "pending applicants" file to have a look to see if any were suitable. There were two who had relevant experience, so I interviewed them both. Both interviewed well - I gave the job to the one who seemed more experienced. A few months later when another person was needed, I just contacted the other one and offered her the job without even interviewing her again. Both turned out good workers and it save us the cost/time/hassle of adverts, interviews, etc. So, yes, it can work, and yes, now you do know of someone else for whom speculative letters have worked in the accounts arena.

Slinky

Thinking about it again, my first ever job I got was through writing speculative letters to potential employers. Hand wrote them all, about 120 if I recall when we were in a recession in the 1908s. Several interviews, took the first job offered, was offered 2 others later.

And that was in the accounts department of an insurance company.

Oloth

My current employment (although not proceeding too well currently) Was brought about as a result of a speculative letter: (Or rather email, cover note, and CV). The steps I went about were as follows:

Research other similar companies (Competitors)
Research the email addreses of the directors
Formulate a personalised Cover note to the company
Send a speculative email direct to the email address researched
Follow up on that email within 1-2 weeks of sending it:

Here was my speculative email:

Dear xxxxx xxxxxx,


I am writing to enquire whether you have a vacancy in your company for an Assistant Quantity Surveyor/Assistant Buyer/Assistant Site Manager/Assistant Project Manager/Assistant Estimator. I enclose a copy of my CV and cover note for your consideration.
As you will see from my CV, I am currently working for xxx xxx xxx (Also based in xxxxxx) as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Assistant Buyer and their Network Manager. In my present position I am responsible for managing the commercial aspects of several large projects in the north east. Including general surveying responsibilities such as:

• Producing interim valuations and application on current live projects
• Producing Variations to contract works
• Maintaining profitability through monthly cost value reconcilliation
• Producing On-Site remeasures.
• Assisting with development of concepts and value engineering where possible for the benefit of the client
  

·

In the brief time I have worked within the construction industry I have demonstrated my ability to be flexible, filing several diverse and challenging roles meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding sub contractor. I would like to contribute my abilities and experience to xxxxxx and would be happy to discuss in further detail how I can accomplish this. My CV is enclosed for your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you, thank you for your time and consideration

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Yours sincerely,

xxxx xxxxx

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Cover note that was attached

---

Dear xxx xxxxx




As a dedicated young professional with the desire to further my career, I am eager to contribute my abilities and experience to one of the most respected local market leaders in the construction industry.

I am currently in my second year of HND studies at xxxxxxxxxxxx and plan to continue my studies into either HNC or Degree level upon completion. I have a great deal of experience in Joinery, both technical and practical, and wish to expand my career as a Quantity Surveyor. In the short time I have spent within the construction industry I have played a pivotal role in bringing several of the largest contracts my employer has had to date from initial tender to final account. I believe I can help xxxxxxxx with its ongoing mission of success by applying my dedication, enthusiasm and commercial awareness to that of any available position.

The opportunities I experienced working on projects as a sub-contractor have developed my aspirations to progress my career further. xxxxxx attitudes and reputation to social and corporate responsibility, health and safety and consideration to the local community is second to none. These mirror the beliefs of myself and what I feel is missing from many large companies within the sector.

I would like to contribute my abilities and experiences to yourselves and would be happy to discuss in further detail how I can accomplish this. My CV is enclosed for your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you, thank you for your time and consideration.




Yours sincerely


hope this all helps!

cannyscot_2

AP007 wrote: »

And it also doesn't mean what I am saying is rubbish. I do not work in accounts as in accountancy but accounts as in the job function and yes you are right all of these jobs for big or small companies are 99% of the time advertised.

So, I am still 'on file' at a number of places lol

Yes I would say the same! I'm in charge of an accounts dept and lots of mainly smaller companies would recruit on a spec email/application. I think the advice shared on here is very good and very generous. The main thing I would advise is that you need to ensure what you send is top quality-get someone else to read it it -3 /or 4 people if you can and make suggestions make changes and keep doing it.

I know 3 clients who are struggling to get the right accounts person right now and would love a spec application.

I also know people who want the right person for a reception job and again would love a spec application.

I think the advice to get on the phone and just ask /talk to people is pretty good. WhenI was younger and did interim I followed a strategy if I got stuck which was to get a bit of paper and right down every person I could think of that coud help me without stopping to ask if they be any good and then went through the list grading them and started on the As . It generally worked! and usually got me better paid work. Plus try to do as many courses as you can-in accounts -make sure your excel is top notch in admin jobs typing /word up to scratch/ project/access-all useful. and when you job search search these key word searches. It gives you a change of focus. Focus on what need you could meet !