Do Spec Letters Still Work?

Sanne

I have recruited someone based on a speculative application - it came at exactly the right time. Others, we have kept on file for roles that might come up in the nearer future.

I find that a lot companies state in their website that they accept spec applications if they want them...

akelly90

Sanne wrote: »

I have recruited someone based on a speculative application - it came at exactly the right time. Others, we have kept on file for roles that might come up in the nearer future.

I find that a lot companies state in their website that they accept spec applications if they want them...

Thanks for letting me know. Was this a retail job that you mentioned? Also where on the website does it say this they don't accept spec applications? I know I don't look properly but it's just so I can keep a lookout for it in the near future

Sanne

akelly90 wrote: »

Thanks for letting me know. Was this a retail job that you mentioned? Also where on the website does it say this they don't accept spec applications? I know I don't look properly but it's just so I can keep a lookout for it in the near future

It's often on the careers website - some companies just say they welcome speculative applications, some have a "role" advertised that says speculative applications. I have seen very few that mention not to send them - if that's the case then it's usually also on their careers site. (Sometimes where they also say if they don't want agencies).

The job I was referring to wasn't retail but, having recruited in three different industries, I think that speculative applications are often a matter of luck. If it's coming in at the right time (when the company has maybe just considered a vacancy or is about to start recruiting - or has a role they recruit for regularly) you'll probably have good chances of it getting noticed, after all, recruitment is a lengthy and costly process so what better than having a suitable candidate right there! (Providing that there isn't any policy against this - some companies require all jobs to be advertised, some might prefer internal recommendations first etc.)

On the other hand, if it's coming in at the wrong time, it might just be filed away and forgotten about.

Anyway, there's nothing to lose really - I think I would try to stick to emails with CV attachment rather than letter though as most companies will probably recruit online these days.

Good luck!

TBagpuss

I think this is something which varies a lot form firm to firm.
I suspect that the larger the organisation is, the less likely it is that a speculative letter to a specific branch will be useful, as larger organisations tend to have more formal recruitment processes.
If the company has a specfic application form, for instance, then they may not accept applications in any other format, particualrly if they use any kind of standardised processes to weed out unsuitable candidates.

For bigger companies it may be worth asking first - look on their websites for infpormation about job opportunities, see whether there is any information about registering interest in future opportunities, or even telephone or e-mail to ask whether they accept requests to hold details, or indeed whether they have any formal process to register interest.

We are not a big company but on our website we have a 'work for us' section where we post any job opportunities, and it also says;

"If you are interested in working for [Company Name] but we do not currently have a suitable opportunity listed, let us have your details and we will be happy to consider you in relation to future vacancies."

akelly90

Sanne wrote: »

It's often on the careers website - some companies just say they welcome speculative applications, some have a "role" advertised that says speculative applications. I have seen very few that mention not to send them - if that's the case then it's usually also on their careers site. (Sometimes where they also say if they don't want agencies).

The job I was referring to wasn't retail but, having recruited in three different industries, I think that speculative applications are often a matter of luck. If it's coming in at the right time (when the company has maybe just considered a vacancy or is about to start recruiting - or has a role they recruit for regularly) you'll probably have good chances of it getting noticed, after all, recruitment is a lengthy and costly process so what better than having a suitable candidate right there! (Providing that there isn't any policy against this - some companies require all jobs to be advertised, some might prefer internal recommendations first etc.)

On the other hand, if it's coming in at the wrong time, it might just be filed away and forgotten about.

Anyway, there's nothing to lose really - I think I would try to stick to emails with CV attachment rather than letter though as most companies will probably recruit online these days.

Good luck!

Thank you, I was thinking at first to send them through e-mail but a lot of the places I wanted to apply to don't have their e-mail on their website. I thought about calling asking for this information but I had a feeling they wouldn't give it to me for what I want to do with it plus as you say, if its at the wrong time, it'll just be filed away.

Either way, I think I'd get the same response if I sent it through e-mail. I remembered things being a lot more flexible before where even though they wanted you to apply online, they still let you apply by handing in a CV, etc. Now it's just one way or no way...or if I knew someone that worked for the companies I want to go with, that could help but yet I know no one that does

akelly90

TBagpuss wrote: »

I think this is something which varies a lot form firm to firm.
I suspect that the larger the organisation is, the less likely it is that a speculative letter to a specific branch will be useful, as larger organisations tend to have more formal recruitment processes.
If the company has a specfic application form, for instance, then they may not accept applications in any other format, particualrly if they use any kind of standardised processes to weed out unsuitable candidates.

For bigger companies it may be worth asking first - look on their websites for infpormation about job opportunities, see whether there is any information about registering interest in future opportunities, or even telephone or e-mail to ask whether they accept requests to hold details, or indeed whether they have any formal process to register interest.

We are not a big company but on our website we have a 'work for us' section where we post any job opportunities, and it also says;

"If you are interested in working for [Company Name] but we do not currently have a suitable opportunity listed, let us have your details and we will be happy to consider you in relation to future vacancies."

Thank you for your help. As much as I would like to continue sending spec letters, I feel with the companies I want to apply for, I won't be getting anywhere. They're all companies that you can apply online to and it seems like I have to scope out for this jobs rather than putting myself out there to be contacted about them.

I think the next step from here is to go on the websites of the companies I want to work for and just register my details like you and someone else on here said. I've done it for one website already but hopefully I can find more. As for contacting, I'll take it to consideration to keep the ball going.

For now on, I'll be looking at the career sections of these companies very thoroughly now. :search: