Speculative Applications

Available jobs are not necessarily advertised. One hire in five follows a speculative application. Answering advertisements is therefore not enough on its own if you want to find work.

The labour market has two sides

The "open" market covers published vacancies:

The public employment service (DYPA, formerly OAED)
Newspapers
Competitions and public calls, and so on

The "hidden" market covers jobs that exist but are never announced anywhere. You can only reach them through a speculative application or through someone you know.

One hire in two happens outside the "open" market

HOW TO MAKE A SPECULATIVE APPLICATION AND REACH THE "HIDDEN" MARKET

There are several ways to approach a company speculatively:

Direct contact
Meeting someone at a trade fair, professional event or social occasion
A telephone call
Sending a letter (by courier, email and so on)
Sending a full application pack (CV and covering letter)
Publishing your professional profile
A meeting arranged through a mutual contact

PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR MAKING A SPECULATIVE APPLICATION

Take great care over how you present yourself, whatever form the application takes:

Your physical presence
The quality of the paper you use, your handwriting, the quality of photocopies, and so on
Courtesy, a smile, confidence

Gather information about the company before you apply speculatively

Do not hesitate to call a secretary or the switchboard to ask for the information you need — the name of the manager responsible for the role, what the company does, and so on.

Personalise your message

Find out the name of the person you should be contacting.

Adopt a "professional" stance:

You are not merely asking for a job or an interview — you are offering your knowledge, your skills and your services.

Choose the approach that:

Feels most comfortable to you, or best suits the person you are approaching.

Be direct and specific.

Base your case on facts, results and figures.

Do not give up after the first meeting.

Seek further contact with the company and follow up on your application.