Sending a speculative job application is undoubtedly one of the trickiest parts of job seeking and is understandably something that many people find uncomfortable doing. It’s a delicate process, and one that needs to be handled with care. However, it can prove surprisingly effective if done well.
Here are some useful steps to follow when sending a speculative enquiry to a hiring manager:
1. Identify the best person to write to
First things first, it’s important you make sure your email finds its way into the right hands. Spend time getting to know the organisation’s structure via its website to understand how and where hiring decisions are made. You can also scan any recent job descriptions for clues as to relevant people to approach. You can also see the person who posted a job listing for the company on LinkedIn and reach out that way, or research the company’s page there. If all else fails, try sending a generic email asking to be put in touch with the person responsible for hiring into your area of the organisation.
2. It’s all in the timing
Every organisation has its own work patterns, but there are certain times to avoid when sending a speculative email: these include Monday mornings (and mornings in general), lunchtimes and Friday afternoons. A mid-afternoon, mid-week slot offers the highest chance of your email being read.
3. Cut to the chase
Rule of thumb: a cold email shouldn’t run beyond six sentences (if there is a position open the organisation is likely to be understaffed and short on time). A typical structure might include a one-sentence introduction, followed by a short paragraph discussing who you are and what you’re looking for. This is your chance to sell your strengths and to outline how you would add value to the organisation.
4. Make sure your email is actionable…
Always include a final line with a call to action. Your ask needs to be a small one: avoid asking for lengthy advice and limit yourself to a specific request – such as suggesting a follow-up call or face-to-face interview. Simply put, the easier you make it for the recipient to take your enquiry to the next stage, the more likely you are to hear back.
5… but keep the tone warm
Anything that makes your email a little less ‘cold’ is worth including. It’s important to try to build a connection with the recipient: once you have an idea of who you’re writing to, look for something that will genuinely connect both of you – a shared personal connection or interest, for example.
6. Follow up with care
There’s a high probability that your email will have slipped through the net first time around, or that your recipient won’t have had time to respond. How you deal with this next part is crucial: standard practice is to follow up on your original email thread after a week or so. Ask succinctly if they’ve had a chance to read your email, and whether you can provide any further information. Keep the tone friendly and avoid demanding a quick response.
Cold calling is invariably something of a hit and miss process. However, with an estimated 80% of job vacancies not advertised, the benefits of making an unsolicited enquiry clearly outweigh the benefits of not doing so. Do your due diligence, take care over your email, and you’ll have very little to lose.
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