Although the companies aren’t advertising, your aim is to search out jobs likely to become available before they reach the normal outlets.

A speculative letter can be sent to any company or employer that:

Provides potential for you to gainfully apply your knowledge, skills and experience

May be interested in your expertise

Is a company that you would like to work with

Is compatible with your career objectives

Selecting target companies is based on research and your knowledge of the industry or profession. Success in finding a new job is directly related to:

The number of connections made

The accuracy with which they are targeted

Researching contacts:

Prepare a list of possible contacts.

Organisations for instance:

Whose annual report signals expansion to which your skills are closely related

Where friends and colleagues have suggested there could be suitable vacancies

Who have successfully achieved a takeover

Who are relocating

Who you have dealt with in the past.

Other contacts can be found by:

Working your way through business magazines and financial columns in the press to find companies whose activities could create opportunities for you

Offering your skills to other firms in your industry – you will interest them as you can save them money, by not having to train someone who already knows his/her way around the business

The speculative letter

The general speculative letter sent out in this category of job search is to companies selected as organisations which may be able to use your skills and experience. Although they are not advertisisng, the endeavour is to search out jobs likely to become available before they reach the normal outlets, or positions about to be created because of company expansions and other changes.

In the past, a few well-directed letters could have produced job offers. In today’s crowded market, the task is more competitive and letters have to be constructed in a harder hitting way. Guidelines to follow are:

Tell the addressee what job you are seeking

Say what your relevant skills, experience and success are

Tell the company you would appreciate a meeting to enlarge on this

Do NOT point out that you are becoming redundant or are unemployed

Speculative approach for senior appointments
Write to the MD or the function head by name – marked Private & Condidential

WHY?

The Personnel manager gets dozens of various applications each week

The personnel manager only learns of positions available when the MD tells him

The MD may have an idea or project formulating in his mind for some time.

Do not enclose your CV with this letter.

The secretary opening the post will almost certainly re-direct your letter to the Personnel Department, if there is a CV attached.

For certain categories of positions, eg. Operative, non-managerial positions, etc., it may be advisable to drop into the company “on spec”. If you do:

Always have a copy of your CV that you can leave them

Be prepared for an instant interview or to fill out an application form

If there is nothing available, ask if you can send in your CV anyway – some vacancies may arise shortly

Company decision makers:

Personnel people are experts in employment/HR – not always skilled in the specific discipline or technology BUT they play a KEY ROLE in decisions or appointments

MDs/CEOS are the ultimate decision makers on who is employed or not employed. Very often they are not technologically proficient. Use of too much technical jargon or detail can simply be gobbledygook to them, thereby losing you the opportunity of essential communications.

Sample Letter

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Mr John J. Johnson
Managing Director
The international Company
International House
The Street
Dublin

12th January 19xx

Dear Mr Johnson,

Increasing turnover by almost 200% in a joint venture company in the bio-technology food ingredient business, requires a high degree of business acumen, commitment and effective management skills.

As General Manger, good technical qualifications and a commitment to quality and customer service have been the basis of achieving this level of success in my present position.

Innovative by nature and looking to the future, I believe my skills would be of benefit to a progressive company such as yours.

I would welcome the opportunity of a brief meeting where I might discuss the matter further. Should you require a copy of my curriculum vitae, I would be pleased to forward same on request.

I look forward to hearing form you in the near future.

Yours sincerely

Applicant’s name

Debbie O’Hallaran, Career Columnist
www.irishjobs.ie