Speculative Applications

• CVs
• Application Forms
• Covering letters
• Speculative applications
• Postgraduate study application forms and personal statements

Speculative Application - What does it mean?

If you can't find an advert for the job or work experience you want, applying 'speculatively' means sending a CV and covering letter to an employer asking whether they can offer jobs or work experience.

Why do it?

Research has shown that more than 50% of jobs go unadvertised, filled by networking and word of mouth. Speculative applications allow you to tap into this market.

Download our pdf guide to Creative Job Search and Networking (PDF, 625 KB) to get some practical advice on how to do this, such as exploring employer links - a searchable list of employers who have previously sought to recruit Bristol students and graduates.

When is it useful?

• When you want to work in one particular highly focused field eg. Golf course construction. It’s also quite effective if you want to use technical expertise in a specialized area such as computer games, animation, alternative energy or motor racing



• When you want to work in a specific geographical area. Writing speculatively to a number of big local employers can be fruitful.



• When you want to break into a small but really popular area of work. A few areas, such as the media, art and design, music, environmental, charity work and development are so popular that employers fill many of their vacancies without advertising, relying on networking and speculative contacts.



• When targeting smaller employers, whatever the field of work. Smaller organizations may recruit infrequently, and most of these opportunities are never advertised. A good unsolicited applicant who turns up at the right time can save a lot of money and effort.



• When looking for vacation work, work experience or work shadowing.

How do you find contacts?

Speculative letters should be clearly targeted at a named individual wherever possible. Here’s some ways to get the names of organizations and individuals:

• Professional organisations often produce lists of individual and corporate members. We've got links to many of them in the I want to work in.. section



• Trade directories. Ask at our Resources Help Desk or a large reference library. Directories are also increasingly available on the web.



• Regional employer directories. Check our links to national and regional directories, ask the Careers Service or a public library.



• Use our Careers Network to generate your own network. Ask who’s the best contact in their organisation.



• Newspaper ads. Even if they’re not advertising exactly what you want they give you a name and address. Write asking them for what you do want.



• Ask friends and relations. It’s surprising how many people you know. And they’ll know even more.



• Phone up. If you know the employer but don’t know the contact name phone up and ask the receptionist.

So what do you actually write?

Pretty much what you’d put in a normal CV and covering letter. Here’s some extra tips:

• Send your letter to a named person wherever possible. Without a name they’re no-one’s responsibility and much easier to put aside.



• Anything which reads like a standard letter is doomed. Make your covering letter specific to the organisation. Say why you want to work for them.



• Follow up phone calls allow you to emerge as more than a piece of paper. If you plan a follow-up call say so in the covering letter.



• Avoid unfocused requests such as "I'll do any job appropriate to my qualifications". Try to specify what you actually want.



• An employer who has nothing for you now is not saying "no" forever. Ask to be kept on file. Get back in touch in a couple of months.