Speculative Job Applications

[DeadCertain]

I am very interested in a change of career into an area where job openings are rather infrequent and the training for the job can only be completed once employed in that role. I do have a vast amount of very relevant experience due to my past work roles.

I am thinking of writing to organisations to see whether any training opportunities are imminent with a summary of my experience and reasons for wanting to enter this particular area of work.

As a manager would receiving an inquiry for a position that is not advertised irritate you or would you view it as a positive move on the part of the person enquiring?

It would depend on the role and the industry. For example, if the role is within the public sector, there is an expectation that the role will be advertised and so a speculative application won't get you anywhere.

Private sector organisations can be more flexible and may welcome speculative applications.

It may be worth phoning up and having a chat with the recruiting manager about what skills they are looking for and when they may be recruiting.

If anyone tells you they will keep your details on file, don't believe them. Even with the best intentions, they often get forgotten about.

Thank you EmpressJewel - most helpful.

I come from a public sector background so am only used to that environment.

I work in internal recruitment and if someone came to me wanting to learn the trade I work within we would support their enthusiasm and try and get them into the business. As long as the candidate was aware they are starting at the bottom of the ladder in terms of retraining then we wouldn't have a problem.

Speculative applications - especially ones from people with prior experience are always welcomed in our team.

Thank you BlueNeighbourhood1. I very much recognise that I'll be starting at the bottom if I do indeed manage to get the chance to start - but have plenty of enthusiasm!

I'd really appreciate your application, and if you seemed half way sensible I'd meet for a chat about options. As I recruit regularly, I'd hope that this would be helpful intel and practice even if I didn't hire you.

I would only be able to even consider recruiting you if we had a vacancy open which matches what you do. I work in quite a specialised role, but I imagine that the big accountancy firms, for instance, might have rolling recruitment where this is less of an issue.

But as pp said, with the best of intentions I probably wouldn't remember you a few months later if I did have a role going. So I'd like you to (within reason!) keep on my radar.

Thank you both - really helpful again!