Job 'begging' letter!!!

[robbiebob]

Hi,

I have just been laid off from my current job and have updated my CV.. My question is, is it the 'done thing' to send a letter and CV to potential employers and if so, what is the best thing to say (I dont want to seem to forward but do want to get noticed).. Also how do you address it (Dear Sir, To whom it may concern etc)

Many thanks for any advise offered.

Rob

[4getmenot]

just do a covering letter explaining why you are out of work.

Dear sir/madam

I am writing this letter/email to introduce myself to your company.

I have recently been made redundant from a ..... company due to less work load.

My work there included ....

I am available for for interview at any time and could start work immediately if you have any job vacancies.

Please find attached my cv...


I am out of work and its fine to email companies or send a letter, some reply some dont.

[oldexpat]

Personally I would actually find somewhere that has current job vacancies as opposed to wasting your time sending out letters which are not in response to a advert.

[alexanderd]

As 4getmenot says, but be prepared to send out lots of letters and get very few replies. Good luck and remember it only takes one positive reply to give you a job

[4getmenot]

its worth a go even if some dont reply, if you ever have to claim JSA they will want to know what you've done to try and get a job, and most companies dont actually advertise

[Buenchico]

The staff at Jobcentre Plus actively seek to get unemployed people to send their c.v. 'on spec' to potential employers. So there's no reason (other than the ever-mounting cost of postage) as to why you shouldn't give it a try.

If you can find out the name of the relevant person it would, of course, always be best to use that name when starting your letter. Otherwise, one possible way of starting the letter might simply be to head it "For the attention of the Human Resources manager".

You'll probably get very little response. (My own experience of applying for jobs is that fewer than 1% of employers ever reply to job applications, even when those applications are in response to advertised vacancies). However you might just 'get lucky'. A young friend of mine had completed the first year of his plumbing course at college but he couldn't continue with the course unless he could find a placement with an employer. I helped him to write, 'on spec', to 51 firms. 47 didn't reply. 3 sent back very nice letters apologising that they couldn't help him. But just one (which was all he needed) offered him a placement. Perhaps you'll have similar luck?

Chris

[Eve]

Finding a contact and addressing it personally if the best option if you can make sure you have the right contact, usually only takes a google or a quick phonecall.

Not too brief and not too long, don't ramble and nothing too OTT, sell yourself but keep it real and genuine.

I'm in the legal profession and letters and CV's I would get gushing about their incredible passion for law and how their "hobbies" include reading up on the latest legal updates and all that would make me think they need more help than a job!

Just give them enough to want to look at the CV.

Make sure it's nicely spaced and presented and preferably typed (handwritten are sometimes requested these days but, if not specifically asked for, it can raise suspicions you can't use a computer and unless you have incredibly neat writing, might not be that readable).

I deal with a lot of recruitment and it amazes me what some people put (or don't!) in CVs and covering letters!

[4getmenot]

sometimes even when a company has no jobs available its nice to get the reply. I had one recently saying they didnt have any vacancies but having read through my cv they were sure it wouldnt be long till I was snapped up and wished me luck. It kind of gives you a boost for a while :-)

[yelenots]

I sent letters out and only got replies off about 4 of them however one place remember I had written in when they needed maternity cover. I got an interview and the job!! Good Luck!

[Eve]

I'd also agree that spec approaches can bring some great results so go for it!

[robbiebob]

Thanks for the help/advise.. I will get on to my 'begging' letter today 80)

BTW, have any of you goyt any vacancies???? ;0)

[dotty.]

You should also consider joining the online agencies that send you dailt emails for vacancies, especially if you have a specific trade as this will give you a geat pool of contacts who may leep your cv on file,

[tamborine]

As an employer I cant ignore those at the door....

[SubZerOK]

Yes, it is a great idea to send a potential employer both CV and a cover letter. In addition, there are many companies where applying for a job required a cover letter as well. To begin with, I would advise you to look at a few samples: https://resumesbot.com/cover-letter-examples/ This will help you to make your own cover letter and succeed in job hunting.