Best way to follow up a speculative application?

[patmahe]

2 weeks ago today I applied to a company for a job. There was no position advertised but I like the type of work they do so I wrote a very targetted letter and tailored my CV, I dropped this in for the attention of the CEO.

As yet I've had no response and so I want to follow up on things. The thing is I have 3 choices
1. His e-mail (available in the contact us part of their website)
2. His mobile (again available in the contact us part of their website)
3. The company landline and ask to be put through.

Basically I don't want to piss him off by being a cheeky git and putting him on the spot, but I do want a proper response to my application to see if there is any hope even down the line. Which would you choose and why?

[blindswelledrat]

Any 'CEO' will not feel 'put on the spot' by you being a cheeky git. That kind of thing is definitely not uncomfortable for someone like that
Depends on the type of job, but a call beginning with an apology and telling him why you want to work for him would be an excellent way of getting yourself noticed.

[patmahe]

Its a relatively small company, they do work on vehicle electronics for emergency service vehicles.

[dougc]

Phone the switchboard. Speak to the CEO if you can. Nothing to fear about being forward. I did the same thing earlier this year - speculative application in February, phone call 4 weeks later. I start at the new place in September...

[AJS-]

Phone. Switchboard first, if you can't get through after a couple of days try his mobile.

CEO is just a title, if he's a CEO of a company of 10 people then he might also be the salesman, the finance director and the technical director and it's not that odd having his mobile on the website.

It might more normally be called MD or simply gaffer, but don't be put off by titles as they are very often misleading, and quite often intentionally so.

[Romanymagic]

Perhaps have a crack at an approach on these lines:

Hi, my name is Patmahe, can I spare a moment of your time?

"yes" goto 1

"no" - no problem is there a better time I could give you a call to discuss your company?

(1)The reason for my call is that I recently sent you a copy of my resume as I would be very interested to work for your organisation and I wondered if you have had a chance to look at it?

"yes" goto 2

"no" perhaps I can forward you a further copy with a view to calling you tomorrow after you have have had a chance to look through it?

(2)I would be keen to meet with you to discuss my experience and skills further and the potential benefits I could bring to your company, when would you be free for me to come to your offices?

"we are not recruiting at the moment/your skills experience are not required at the moment" - goto 3

(3)That's fine but I would be very keen to work for your organisation in the future so could you advise me of the best way forward to achieving that goal?