phone them - they can easily dismiss a letter/e-mail tbh...
if they're a small company then chances are you'll speak to someone running the place rather than a HR/admin ****.
Thats how I got my previous job just phoned up and had a chat with a manager - he wasn't recruiting at the time but asked me to e-mail my CV noting that I'd spoken with him and sure enough a few months down the line I was called for an interview.
if they're a small company then chances are you'll speak to someone running the place rather than a HR/admin ****.
Thats how I got my previous job just phoned up and had a chat with a manager - he wasn't recruiting at the time but asked me to e-mail my CV noting that I'd spoken with him and sure enough a few months down the line I was called for an interview.
Phone them up and ask to speak to their HR department or whoever is in charge of recruiting. Be sure to explain that you are not an agency but are a private individual who would like to enquire as to any current vacancies they may have as you are interested in working for their company.
At this stage one of two things will happen.
If you're very lucky and manage to fool the receptionist into believing you, you might just get put through to someone you can talk to. At this point you'll need to explain who you are and why you have called and then you might find yourself in a discussion with someone who can actually tell you what you need to know and be of some use to you.
If you're not very lucky or the receptionist doesn't believe you, chances are you'll be given the name (and address) of someone to write to, at which point your idea of sending a covering letter and CV is now your only realistic option, unless you fancy your luck trying to get past your new found enemy.
Obviously you could just send something off to the main address for this company marked for the attention of the 'HR Department' or similar, but it will look better on you and your enthusiastic approach if you can either speak to the person you'll be sending your CV to (or at least get their name) and follow up your conversation with the CV that you promised.
I think your biggest hurdle won't be getting a point of contact, but will be to persuade this company that they need to have you working for them. What's the deal with your current job and your potential employers? I'm assuming that you'll want to (or have to, depending on your working history) be doing a similar job to what you're doing now?
Are they guaranteed to need someone of your ability working for them? Is it in the same industry? Do you have something unique that you can offer them? Why do you think working for them is right for you?
All of those questions, and quite possibly more, need to be answered in your covering letter that accompanies your CV. You're going to be selling yourself to whoever you've addressed it to and they're going to need some convincing!
At this stage one of two things will happen.
If you're very lucky and manage to fool the receptionist into believing you, you might just get put through to someone you can talk to. At this point you'll need to explain who you are and why you have called and then you might find yourself in a discussion with someone who can actually tell you what you need to know and be of some use to you.
If you're not very lucky or the receptionist doesn't believe you, chances are you'll be given the name (and address) of someone to write to, at which point your idea of sending a covering letter and CV is now your only realistic option, unless you fancy your luck trying to get past your new found enemy.
Obviously you could just send something off to the main address for this company marked for the attention of the 'HR Department' or similar, but it will look better on you and your enthusiastic approach if you can either speak to the person you'll be sending your CV to (or at least get their name) and follow up your conversation with the CV that you promised.
I think your biggest hurdle won't be getting a point of contact, but will be to persuade this company that they need to have you working for them. What's the deal with your current job and your potential employers? I'm assuming that you'll want to (or have to, depending on your working history) be doing a similar job to what you're doing now?
Are they guaranteed to need someone of your ability working for them? Is it in the same industry? Do you have something unique that you can offer them? Why do you think working for them is right for you?
All of those questions, and quite possibly more, need to be answered in your covering letter that accompanies your CV. You're going to be selling yourself to whoever you've addressed it to and they're going to need some convincing!
You won't be putting them on the spot by calling them up and asking to speak with someone, providing you're polite, well-mannered and patient. Ultimately you need to know the right person to write to so why not introduce yourself at the same time and make whoever you speak with a promise to send your CV in, if that's the right thing to do.
You can then follow up the conversation with your CV and covering letter, proving that you're true to your word and are keen to take things further. Hopefully you'll be seen as someone who not only has the initiative to approach them looking for a job but is also keen to impress.
This all assumes you can get past the receptionist, again assuming they have one, and the key to doing that is to be exactly unlike everyone else that calls up to try and get through to someone they've never spoken to before. Be polite, patient and professional and above all - ask nicely! If you get brushed off take it with good grace, but don't put the phone down without a contact name and address details for your CV. You might even get an email address, which you could use, but I'd still send a letter in.
Hell, you could even hand deliver it.
You can then follow up the conversation with your CV and covering letter, proving that you're true to your word and are keen to take things further. Hopefully you'll be seen as someone who not only has the initiative to approach them looking for a job but is also keen to impress.
This all assumes you can get past the receptionist, again assuming they have one, and the key to doing that is to be exactly unlike everyone else that calls up to try and get through to someone they've never spoken to before. Be polite, patient and professional and above all - ask nicely! If you get brushed off take it with good grace, but don't put the phone down without a contact name and address details for your CV. You might even get an email address, which you could use, but I'd still send a letter in.
Hell, you could even hand deliver it.
it isn't putting them on the spot rather simply inquiring whether they're hiring and attempting to make a favourable impression (much easier to do when speaking to someone rather than in a letter).
CVs and cover letters alone are inefficient because that what every other joe bloggs looking for a job tries.
