Unsolicited applications

Unsolicited applications are a great way to stand out from other job applicants and catch employers’ attention. Need help writing an unsolicited application? Then here are some tips and tricks for finding potential employers, and some useful examples and templates to use for your own unsolicited application. Whether you’re looking to expand your career opportunities or you are unskilled, young and looking for your first job, you’ve come to the right place.

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What to include in an unsolicited application

An unsolicited application is your chance to introduce yourself to a company and show what you can offer them as an employee – without being limited by specific job requirements in a job advert. By including some key elements in your cover letter, you can make your application effective and interesting for the employer.

Firstly, your cover letter should include an introduction about yourself, briefly describing who you are, what you can offer and why you want to work for the company in question. Next, write about your education and work experience, highlighting your professional and personal skills that make you suitable for a potential position with the company.

You will also need a strong conclusion. This is where you summarise your strengths and repeat why you want to work for the company. You may also want to suggest a meeting for a chance to learn more about the company and your employment opportunities. Emphasise that you understand that the company may not have a vacant position for you right now, but that you are also interested in the long term.

Finally, make sure you have a clear structure for the content of your application and check it thoroughly for spelling mistakes, incorrect recipients and so on before sending.

By including these fundamental points in your cover letter, you’ll be more likely to attract the employer’s attention and possibly be invited to an interview.

This page contains the following tips

How to write an unsolicited application
Unsolicited application sample and template
How to find potential employers
What to do once you’ve found the companies you want to approach

How to write an unsolicited application

An unsolicited application is similar to a traditional job application, but with a few differences. Always make sure you personalise your cover letter and target it to the company – even for unsolicited applications. For example, provide a clear and specific explanation of why you want to work for the company and how you can contribute to their success. Remember to keep your cover letter short and to the point so that the employer quickly has a clear idea of your qualifications and experience.

An unsolicited application usually includes the following points:

Write a brief introduction about yourself, explaining why you’re writing to the company and where you heard about them.
Briefly describe your educational background and previous work experience, explaining how it can help the company. Attach your CV separately.
Describe your strengths and skills and how these can help the company, e.g. by mentioning specific projects or tasks where your skillset helped you achieve results. Please be specific in your descriptions.
Explain why you want to work for the company and how your knowledge of their mission, values and products or services is relevant to your career ambitions and interests.
End your cover letter with a summary of what you can offer and how you can help the company achieve their goals. Round off with an invitation to meet and offer to contact the company yourself within a week. .

Example of an unsolicited application

Dear [company name],

I am writing to apply for the opportunity to work with you as [position]. I first became aware of your company through [name of source] and after looking at your products and services, I am impressed by your commitment and potential in the area.

I have [educational background] and [number] years of experience in [industry/area]. My expertise lies in [describe your skills and strengths] and I have had success in the past with [example of an assignment or project where you have demonstrated your skills]. I am passionate about [a topic related to the position] and believe that my background and skills can contribute to your team.

I am particularly drawn to your company’s desire to [mission] because I see it as an important part of creating a sustainable future. I am also impressed with your latest project [project name], which shows your innovative approach to [industry].

I really appreciate you taking the time to read my application. I’d love to meet with you to discuss how I can contribute to your company – even if you do not currently have any job opportunities available. I would therefore like to contact you within the next week or so, but you are also welcome to get back to me before then if it is more convenient.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Remember that the above template is only a guide. Always customise it to your own style and words.

How to find potential employers

Finding potential employers can be challenging because you don’t have a specific job advert to refer to. Here are some tips to help you find companies that might welcome an unsolicited application:

Use our search function to search for companies within your geographic area and desired category or specialism.
Ask your personal network for introductions to companies that could use your skills.
Browse local news to look for companies that have positive coverage or are growing.

Follow up

Once you’ve submitted your application, follow up with an email or phone call to confirm that they’ve received your application and that you’re interested in an interview or meeting. If you’ve stated in your application that you will follow up, then make sure you do. This only reflects positively.

Research the company and its needs to identify how your skills and experience can help them.
Find the right person to send your application to. This will typically be the HR department or the head of a relevant department that matches your job requirements and professional experience. You may find a contact through your network, or you could call their switchboard and ask who to send your unsolicited application to.
Customise your unsolicited application to the company and the type of job you want. Make sure you include specific examples of how your skills and experience can contribute to the company’s success.
Once you’ve submitted your application, follow up with an email or phone call to confirm that they’ve received your application and that you’re interested in an interview or meeting. If you’ve stated in your application that you will follow up, then make sure you do. This only reflects positively.

Following these steps and maintaining a professional approach will increase your chances of being invited to an interview and maybe even receiving a job offer from a company you want to work for. Finally, consider creating your CV online so that your skills are visible to employers and recruitment specialists when they are looking for new employees. .

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