Sending CVs to companies!!

Frankie7

Hi folks, i'm about to enter my final year in college, currently studying HR management. I'd like to try and get some experience even if its just a day or 2 per week for a couple of hours. I'm just wondering is it a done thing to write up a cv and cover letter stating that you know there are no positions currently available but if they could keep you on file if anythig came up within the company etc. Have no experience with anything like this so any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Mr. Loverman

I think it's a good idea.

Just make sure your cover letter is very clear about offering to work in the HR department for free.

Part of me though is thinking you might be better off going to a business park and actually walking from business to business with your cover letter and CV asking can you speak to the HR person about working as an intern for a few hours a week. The reason I am suggesting this is because face to face time is far more successful than communicating by e-mail.

Another idea (this is sort of unrelated to your question) would be to set up a blog with career advice, employment law, etc., directed at the Irish audience. It would show you are serious about HR and would in some way make up for your zero experience.

Frankie7

Thanks very much for your swift reply and tips. Really like the blog idea and will definitely research the idea a bit more. Just another quick question, i know im doing a HR degree but would it be beneficial for me to look into working in different areas of the company if a HR position wasn't available. I've heard of people going into big companies and doing say a week in HR, a week in marketing, a week in sales etc. but have never heard any feedback on their experience. thanks again and sorry for all the Questions.

doolox

...for a company to let a person loose in the HR dept working for free for a few hours with access to all the employees comfidential information???

I think the work they could do would always be limited by they not being a full time employee subject to the normal rewards, and strictures of a full time job. The company would need to have some form of "hold" over you like fear of losing a full time job and money in order to ensure discretion and that the company confidential information would be kept secret.

Frankie7

Not looking to run the HR department mate . Companies give unpaid internships all the time in all departments. Basically looking to make coffee n photocopy for a few hours a week and hopefully make a good impression and have a reference at the end of it.

Mr. Loverman

Frankie7 wrote: »

would it be beneficial for me to look into working in different areas of the company if a HR position wasn't available. I've heard of people going into big companies and doing say a week in HR, a week in marketing, a week in sales etc. but have never heard any feedback on their experience.

I can't see the harm in it but you'd need to be careful with your wording to show you really do want to work in HR but would also be happy to get general office experience if no HR roles are available.

Irish_Elect_Eng

Firstly, Hat's off to you for thinking how to get in the door.

I hope that your initiative is rewarded.

But, this it the real world and nothing is free... :-(

Even if they don't pay you it will cost the company in question to take you on.

• Employee time to bring you up to speed.
• H&S training.
• Desk, computer, etc...

So they will want to know "What is the payback, what do they get in return?"

Frankly, most interns don't do a lot of productive work, that is not the purpose of an internship, the purpose is learning and the company giving something back.

So to get a position, what's in it for them....?

You have to think, what could you achieve in a specific time-frame and what skills you have to bring to the table. Most HR departments will have tasks that they would like to complete but have not the time to get around to.

• Updating Procedures - Can you save tehm money by moving from paper to an e-system.
• Standardizing Templates - Standardising all the HR forms and proccedues.
• Reviewing New Legislation. - Review current procedures adains the most resent / upcoming legislation.
• Training Soft Skills. - Effective meeting, Crucial Conversations, Discipline, Attendance, etc.

So, you are fresh out of college? What did you learn? What was your final year project on? What was your best subject? Offer to share some new up to date topics with them or their staff. You could be a cheap source of training.

Be specific, show why there is a great return on their time in taking you on paid or unpaid, include some concrete examples in your communications or face to face...

Good Luck

Frankie7

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

Firstly, Hat's off to you for thinking how to get in the door.

I hope that your initiative is rewarded.

But, this it the real world and nothing is free... :-(

Even if they don't pay you it will cost the company in question to take you on.

• Employee time to bring you up to speed.
• H&S training.
• Desk, computer, etc...

So they will want to know "What is the payback, what do they get in return?"

Frankly, most interns don't do a lot of productive work, that is not the purpose of an internship, the purpose is learning and the company giving something back.

So to get a position, what's in it for them....?

You have to think, what could you achieve in a specific time-frame and what skills you have to bring to the table. Most HR departments will have tasks that they would like to complete but have not the time to get around to.

• Updating Procedures - Can you save tehm money by moving from paper to an e-system.
• Standardizing Templates - Standardising all the HR forms and proccedues.
• Reviewing New Legislation. - Review current procedures adains the most resent / upcoming legislation.
• Training Soft Skills. - Effective meeting, Crucial Conversations, Discipline, Attendance, etc.

So, you are fresh out of college? What did you learn? What was your final year project on? What was your best subject? Offer to share some new up to date topics with them or their staff. You could be a cheap source of training.

Be specific, show why there is a great return on their time in taking you on paid or unpaid, include some concrete examples in your communications or face to face...

Good Luck

Thanks so much for the reply, you have given me a lot to think about and i will certainly take it on board. Love the tips about what I could offer and i certainly feel i could offer more than one of them. Thanks again.