Help with speculative applications?

CuriousG

I always thought it was the norm to send speculatives when job-hunting, and it has successfully led to jobs in the past.

My question is, when you are sending them, what exactly is it acceptable to say in the cover letter without seeming like you are begging for a job?

Has anyone got any tips on this, and how to really make them stand out?

I enjoyed the CV tips thread and found it very useful, and I did not want to hijack that thread with this question, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

ismiseuisce

I would like to know about this also.

There are a few companies that I would like to send speculative applications to but I am not sure how to go about it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Turtwig

Not a HR person but my guess would be:

The last thing you want is it come across as a generic "Please Employ me".
Briefly say who you are. State what, if any, relevant experience you have. (Be honest! If you have none, you can always word that into something positive!) Outline why you are interested in this company and how an experience there might helps you achieve your future career goals. Basically have a logical reason for why the company might want to invest in you.

user.name

Its better to have a cover letter tailored to each job. Write it as you write a letter including your address and the address of the company you are applying to. Then you say Sir/Madam usually if you don't have a name to write to (although its better to have a name). Then you open the letter by saying stating what job you are applying for, with what company and how you know about it.
After I usually have the first paragraph stating what experience I have that is related to the job. In the next paragraph I put what skills I have that are related to the job and how I would be of benefit their company. In the next and final paragraph I normally close it saying that I thank them for their time and hope to hear from them in the future. Usually you use yours faithfully at the end if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to and yours sincerely if you do.
That is how I go about writing a cover letter. I've based this off general layout samples I've seen online and the many cover letters I have already written.

Oh and I find that when people say I'm adaptable, dependable and hard-working isn't good. Not all, but many employers get sick of hearing this and really want to see a unique letter that stands out from the crowd.

CuriousG

Thanks a million for the replies.

I will be honest.... My applications always seem a little desperate, and I want to fix it...but not so much that they think I dont want a job.

Has anyone got any examples on what to write?

I don't know how to get around the usual dependable hard working etc stuff either...

I cannot find much help online, and I am planning to go into the LES to get some advice this week, but I want some personal opinions too, if anyone has them.

Thanks again

CuriousG

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my interest in any positions you have/may have in the future. I believe I have the skills necessary to make a great employee/job role/ etc , because I am very hard working, I have great customer service skills, and I have a lot of creative ideas that I cannot wait to put into practice. I have the ability to work independently if it is needed, but I can also carry out great team work.

I have done a number of months experience in ************ doing *******************.

I would really appreciate you taking the time to consider my application, as I am very passionate about achieving my goal, and I would love to be given a chance to do so. I have enclosed an up to date C.V. and I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

CuriousG

To me, that looks crap and full of desperation/too much confidence in myself. Am I being too picky, or is there a lot of work to be done? Any recommendations?

fasttalkerchat

For low level retail jobs its perfectly acceptable just to leave in a CV.

CuriousG

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

For low level retail jobs its perfectly acceptable just to leave in a CV.

Really? I always thought you needed a cover letter with everything..... Thank you