How to Apply for a Job Even If the Company Isn’t Hiring
This article originally appeared on THE TEMPLATE.
Typically, you apply for the positions you find on job boards and company websites. What if you discover a company you love but find it’s not hiring — or at least not hiring a position relevant to your skills?
I recommend you should do the unusual: apply even when there are no open positions.
First of all, what do you have to lose? Nothing. Exactly.
Second, what if your email pitch is compelling and puts you on the company’s radar? Then if the boss does need to make a hire, you come to mind. That’s the case at my own public relations firm. Recently a college student introduced herself appropriately even though we had not posted any open jobs. Now the girl is high on our list once she graduates.
Below, I created a template to “apply” for a job even if the company isn’t hiring.
You never know where a single email might lead.
Subject line: [Your job title, for instance, “Public relations graduate”] interested in career opportunities
Hi ______,
My name is ________, and I am a [for instance; “public relations major from Acme University who hopes to work in the field after graduation.”] I hope you’re doing well.
I realize you don’t have a job posting for a [job title; for instance, “public relations associate,”] but I would still like to make introductions and explore ways I can help your team on [however you can add value; for instance, “upcoming client projects.”]
I checked out the [company name] website and like the projects you do, in particular [name two and explain why; for instance, “the landing page for the Tampa hospital system and the e-commerce page for the rental car start-up. The two campaigns are fresh and easy to navigate. That’s the kind of work I hope to do.”]
[Then, give a little info on your experience; for instance, “At school, I have worked with various on-campus organizations and helped with their public relations. The clients include student government, the marching band and the Spanish club.”]
Please see a few examples of my work down below:
– [link to examples of your work, if available; you can also attach files if it makes more sense]
– Example #2
– Example #3
[As a student or recent grad, you can also provide links to college projects, case studies, internship projects or volunteer efforts. Let the person see what you’re all about in vivid detail.]
I have attached my resume to the email. Please let me know if I can provide more information.
Thanks so much,
You
Email Signature
Notes: In the email, prove you researched the company, link the reader to your own projects, attach your resume and ask nicely for a reply. Then, step back and see what kind of response you receive. The result might surprise you.
You can wait for opportunities to find you (you’ll be waiting a while) or you can go out and grab them. A polished email introduction to a company could lead to an interview and change the entire course of your career.
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Danny Rubin is vice president of Rubin Communications Group, a full-service public relations firm in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He’s also the author of Wait, How Do I Write This Email?, a collection of 100+ templates for networking, the job search and LinkedIn.
Make sure you join Danny’s workshop at the PRSSA 2016 National Conference on Sunday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The workshop is entitled “How to Write a Job Application the Employer Will Never Forget.”
