How to write an unsolicited application in English. (Photo: Shutterstock)
One method to crack the hidden job market and thus have a chance at the unadvertised vacancies is the unsolicited application.
In English, the unsolicited application is called " unsolicited application " or also " speculative application " and is much more common abroad than in German-speaking countries. It should be noted that a speculative application is different in form, structure and style from a normal application in English.
But what makes the structure of a speculative application different from a normal application??
Introduction:
The introductory sentence of a speculative application does not, of course, refer to an advertised position, but to the possibility of obtaining a job in a particular department or gaining professional experience as an intern or graduate.
You can arouse interest especially by suggesting that you can help the company in a certain area.
Thus you turn the tables – instead of demanding a job, you offer your help to the company and this sounds quite different.
The main part:
In the letter itself, you can also not go into any application requirements. Instead, you should address the standard industry working conditions and how your strengths, skills, and work experience would fit into such a position, or how these attributes could be beneficial to the company.
The closing sentence:
In an ordinary application, many thank you for your interest, tell the company about your salary expectations and the expected starting date. In a speculative application, you should not mention any salary requirements. You don’t know whether the company has a suitable job for you and what the requirements for this job are. You can only be wrong with your salary requirements.
You should also not mention a job interview, because this would mean that there is an official advertisement for a possible internal position.
Instead, you should ask for a short interview so that you can show your interest in the company. You can do this, for example, in the form of a planned call (in ca. one to two weeks) signal. A follow-up call you plan to make regarding your unsolicited application can show the company how serious you are about applying to this company.
What should you pay particular attention to in a speculative application??
A strong Internet profile should be complete even before the speculative application is submitted!
Since no position has been posted, it is especially important for the company to learn more information about you in case there is interest. Your Xing and LinkedIn profile should therefore show all your strengths, skills and career stages before you even send the speculative application. In addition, you should not forget your personal branding. With a speculative application, you put yourself in the spotlight and not the advertised position.
A follow-up phone call allows for personal contact!
The most important thing in a speculative application is the follow-up phone call. No matter how good your application is, if you don’t pick up the phone and ask the company after one or two weeks if you can have a closer conversation about a possible job, then it has nothing to do with a speculative application.
When a company advertises a job, it means that they are looking for a specific person to do a specific job. If, however, you speculate that your skills could be of advantage in a company, then you should not only send your information to the company, but also make the first personal contact. Unless the company sends you a rejection letter or contacts you by phone.
Patience is required!
Since you do not know whether the company actually needs someone, you should not be disappointed if the speculative application initially comes to nothing. However, a good speculative application is often remembered. Many recruiters maintain a database in case someone with a certain profile is needed. Of course, this takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. Writing unsolicited applications at random won’t get you anywhere. But if you are looking for a job, you should send out more speculative applications as well as normal applications.
The more speculative applications you send out, the greater the chance that you will find a "hidden job". Unsolicited applications can be easily adapted to different companies and jobs. But you should make sure that each application is individually tailored to the company, otherwise you give the impression that you are not interested in the company itself and send applications to everyone. How best to search for companies in a certain industry abroad in order to send an unsolicited application, you can read here.