to send my CV and a cover letter to companies on the off chance they may be recruiting?

[NearlyMrsCustardsHardHat]

When i was younger and first starting out in the world of work this worked for me and I landed a fair number of temporary contracts off the back of it. But now i'm older and, supposedly more established, in the work force AIBU to want to try and utilise this method of job hunting in my desperate hunt for a change of job?

Of course YANBU

But don't do it via email as I have a feeling they'll just be deleted.

If you can afford it, send them by post or better still...deliver by hand if it's not too far away.

Good luck!

YANBU, the girl sitting next to me right now has this morning handed in her notice having done just that, last Thursday - it happened fast!

Yes, go for it.

My husband did this last year after he took voluntary redundancy and got 3 interviews off the back of them.

Go for it, but make sure the cover letter is tailored towards each employer, rather than just being a big photocopying job. Add something in each letter to personalise to them about why you want to work for them or what particular skill you could offer to them.

I did a few weeks back, the MDs PA contacted me and asked me to come in and meet with the MD.
I met him late last week, had an hours chat. He was really impressed that I had approached them and said he liked my background. They did not have a vacancy but he said that he would try to create a new job for me so fingers crossed! (I'm sure he meant it too, but even if this doesn't lead to anything I'm pleased the MD of a big company took time to meet me.)

I definitely think this approach still works (as long as it's personalised). Also one tip I got at uni which I think is good is write in the cover letter "I will phone you on xx of November at 10am to discuss any opportunities" then follow through. I bet some people will be pleasantly surprised to hear you when you do actually call! Good luck

YANBU - DH has just done this. Good luck with it.

Just don't write that you failed GCSE Spanish. We had a random CV handed in at my work with that on it!