Introducing myself to a company

[anonymous-user]

Good morning all

I have been made recently unemployed and would like to take the opportunity to take my career in a different direction, its been the plan for a while and this has been the kick up the ass I needed.

I would like to introduce myself to a company that looks amazing but I am not qualified to do most of their roles or lack the relevant experience. I do however have a reasonably long list of relevant transferable skills and some similar experience. I am also massively interest in what the company does to the point that a lot of the services they do link into my hobbies and lifestyle.

What I am struggling with is putting together a good introductory email/letter as its not something I've ever done. there is also a lot of contradictory information online on how to approach it.

Is it best to keep is brief and informal? should I go into more detail regarding my experience and interests? do I include a CV or personal statement? Send it to a general email, or find an individual (or both)

Does anyone one have any experience with this, either as an employer or having sent out a similar email?

Probably lots more of things I've not thought about!

Cheers

[Pothole]

I'll be shouted down for this, but if you intend your introduction to be in writing think carefully and check carefully before sending gobbledygook like this:

" I am also massively interest in what the company does to the point that a lot of the services they do link into my hobbies and lifestyle."

Anticipating what future posters will want to know:

What kind of company is it and what do they do/what services do the OFFER?
Are they currently recruiting/expanding?
Why should they be interested in hiring you/what do you bring to the table?

[deckster]

As above, more details needed - what do the company do and how does it link in to your hobbies?

As I'm sure you know without direct experience you have an uphill journey ahead, but there is a world of difference between "I'd love to work with your outdoor pursuits company as I'm a national-class fell-runner and hold a winter mountain leader qualification" and "I'd love to work at Amazon because I like shopping".

[Hoolio]

MonkeyMatt said:

Good morning all

I have been made recently unemployed and would like to take the opportunity to take my career in a different direction, its been the plan for a while and this has been the kick up the ass I needed.

I would like to introduce myself to a company that looks amazing but I am not qualified to do most of their roles or lack the relevant experience. I do however have a reasonably long list of relevant transferable skills and some similar experience. I am also massively interest in what the company does to the point that a lot of the services they do link into my hobbies and lifestyle.

What I am struggling with is putting together a good introductory email/letter as its not something I've ever done. there is also a lot of contradictory information online on how to approach it.

Is it best to keep is brief and informal? should I go into more detail regarding my experience and interests? do I include a CV or personal statement? Send it to a general email, or find an individual (or both)

Does anyone one have any experience with this, either as an employer or having sent out a similar email?

Probably lots more of things I've not thought about!

Cheers

Firstly, sorry to hear you have lost your job. You will, I'm sure, appreciate there will be lots of people in your position at the moment.

What you need to do above all else is make yourself stand out from the crowd. Do something different. Instead of emailing them/sending a letter why not try and work out who the hiring manager is, easy to do these days with tools like LinkedIn, and call them and "sell yourself in". Must more impressive in my book. I run a recruitment company and if someone rang me to pitch themselves I'd get them in for an interview.

Good luck!

[anonymous-user]

deckster said:

As above, more details needed - what do the company do and how does it link in to your hobbies?

As I'm sure you know without direct experience you have an uphill journey ahead, but there is a world of difference between "I'd love to work with your outdoor pursuits company as I'm a national-class fell-runner and hold a winter mountain leader qualification" and "I'd love to work at Amazon because I like shopping".

Valid points deckster and pothole.

I appreciate the fact it will be a difficult journey and I will have to take a pay cut and need further training.

They are an Environmental consultancy offering a huge array of services from Ecology, Arboriculture, Marine and freshwater, and project management to name a few. They are also recruiting and expanding.

My background ins construction and property. I've worked on all sides of the industry from fit-out, renewables, education and major developments, my role for the last 8 years has been as a project manager for a leading consultancy.

My degree is in building surveying and the environment

My hobbies are all based around the outdoors, and I have a very keen interest in ecology and the environment, I've even done some free online courses purely out of interest in subjects like environmental management, eutrophication and biodiversity. I am very knowledgeable regards British wildlife and plant life, environmental impacts and sustainable development but none of this is easily measurable.

Thanks for the feedback

[anonymous-user]

Hoolio said:

Firstly, sorry to hear you have lost your job. You will, I'm sure, appreciate there will be lots of people in your position at the moment.

What you need to do above all else is make yourself stand out from the crowd. Do something different. Instead of emailing them/sending a letter why not try and work out who the hiring manager is, easy to do these days with tools like LinkedIn, and call them and "sell yourself in". Must more impressive in my book. I run a recruitment company and if someone rang me to pitch themselves I'd get them in for an interview.

Good luck!

I have definitively considered this, although I must admit selling myself over the phone really is not my strongest area. I do however have the recruitment managers name. I'm much better person face to face.

[The Moose]

Use LinkedIn and other social networks to determine who you know or has known who either works there or knows someone that works there. I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll find a link.

Then get that person to introduce you.

[jeremyc]

Don't focus on why you would like to work there, but rather on the benefits you would bring to their company by taking you on.

Good luck!

[Hoofy]

I'd find out who would be responsible for recruiting someone like you then give them a call and have an informal chat.

Something like:

Hi, is that Mike Zooworker? I hear you're responsible for looking after the giraffes. I wonder if I could have your thoughts - I'm looking at getting into giraffe management and am currently working in car sales. What do you think the best way would be of working for a business such as yours?

Or something similar. Basically, don't go in with a "geeza job, mate" approach. Go in asking for advice. Most people are happy to spend 5 minutes giving their opinion about things - look how many people have replied to your post when they're apparently busy at work.

You could even do similar on LinkedIn as an experiment. Choose a similar business that you're not bothered about working for just to practice and see what the reaction is like. Connect and then message.

[anonymous-user]

Hoofy said:

I'd find out who would be responsible for recruiting someone like you then give them a call and have an informal chat.

Something like:

Hi, is that Mike Zooworker? I hear you're responsible for looking after the giraffes. I wonder if I could have your thoughts - I'm looking at getting into giraffe management and am currently working in car sales. What do you think the best way would be of working for a business such as yours?

Or something similar. Basically, don't go in with a "geeza job, mate" approach. Go in asking for advice. Most people are happy to spend 5 minutes giving their opinion about things - look how many people have replied to your post when they're apparently busy at work.

You could even do similar on LinkedIn as an experiment. Choose a similar business that you're not bothered about working for just to practice and see what the reaction is like. Connect and then message.

Great idea

[Collectingbrass]

I would use your redundancy money to pay a professional CV writer to write you an approach letter etc, update your Linked In profile and generally help you target this firm and the market more generally. PM me if you want details of the guy who did mine.

You do need to think about what you can offer from day one, otherwise why should they take you (expensive) over a graduate (cheap)? I would also look at what Institutes you can join and qualifications you can gain.

[911gone]

If the company are recruiting then apply for a job that you think you could do, despite the lack of experience etc. Write your CV so it majors on the skills and experience that are transferable and use a cover letter to emphasise the point and why you would be a good fit.

If you are successful in getting an interview, find out what type of interview it is to give yourself the best chance.

Good luck.

[anonymous-user]

Collectingbrass said:

I would use your redundancy money to pay a professional CV writer to write you an approach letter etc, update your Linked In profile and generally help you target this firm and the market more generally. PM me if you want details of the guy who did mine.

You do need to think about what you can offer from day one, otherwise why should they take you (expensive) over a graduate (cheap)? I would also look at what Institutes you can join and qualifications you can gain.

Unfortunately paying a CV writer is not an option, I have very limited funds and any courses would need to be free or very low cost, institutes are a good idea though

[spikeyhead]

There are lots of MIT courses online, including lectures on youtube. Well worth spending some time on those to keep the brain active.

[Hoolio]

Collectingbrass said:

I would use your redundancy money to pay a professional CV writer to write you an approach letter etc, update your Linked In profile and generally help you target this firm and the market more generally. PM me if you want details of the guy who did mine.

OP, whatever you do DON'T do this. It's a total waste of money paying someone to do your CV etc for you. Speak to a few recruiters/agencies and ask for their feedback / what you need to improve / change etc. They're, afterall, speaking with clients and candidates all day every day and know what works.

[Scrump]

Matt, I have sent you an email

[Monkeylegend]

MonkeyMatt said:

Hoofy said:

I'd find out who would be responsible for recruiting someone like you then give them a call and have an informal chat.

Something like:

Hi, is that Mike Zooworker? I hear you're responsible for looking after the giraffes. I wonder if I could have your thoughts - I'm looking at getting into giraffe management and am currently working in car sales. What do you think the best way would be of working for a business such as yours?

Or something similar. Basically, don't go in with a "geeza job, mate" approach. Go in asking for advice. Most people are happy to spend 5 minutes giving their opinion about things - look how many people have replied to your post when they're apparently busy at work.

You could even do similar on LinkedIn as an experiment. Choose a similar business that you're not bothered about working for just to practice and see what the reaction is like. Connect and then message.

Great idea

No harm in sticking your neck out, you have nothing to lose.

Your objective should be to get to speak to somebody from the Co face to face so you need to make yourself sound interesting without giving your whole life story away.

Too many people put far to much detail on their CV's. This gives the Co the opportunity to decide if you are attractive to them without even seeing you.

[A205GTI]

OP this might help

go to LinkedIn search for Mark Gaisford (red sprout media)

he did a post on getting hired by gong direct about two months ago using a video Log

Sadly it wont let me copy and paste here, if you are on Linkedin, request a connection with me and i can send to you alternatively he used ~#video #recruitment #jobseeking.

well worth a watch

good luck

[crofty1984]

Hoofy said:

I'd find out who would be responsible for recruiting someone like you then give them a call and have an informal chat.

Something like:

Hi, is that Mike Zooworker? I hear you're responsible for looking after the giraffes. I wonder if I could have your thoughts - I'm looking at getting into giraffe management and am currently working in car sales. What do you think the best way would be of working for a business such as yours?

Or something similar. Basically, don't go in with a "geeza job, mate" approach. Go in asking for advice. Most people are happy to spend 5 minutes giving their opinion about things - look how many people have replied to your post when they're apparently busy at work.

You could even do similar on LinkedIn as an experiment. Choose a similar business that you're not bothered about working for just to practice and see what the reaction is like. Connect and then message.

This. If someone called me asking about how they may not have the qualifications right now, but have an interest and would like to know more or position themselves to be a good candidate next time there's an opening I'd at least give them some advice, or maybe even have a chat about the job this time round.

[echazfraz]

MonkeyMatt said:

Unfortunately paying a CV writer is not an option, I have very limited funds and any courses would need to be free or very low cost, institutes are a good idea though

I had some free CV-writing sessions with the Job Centre when I was unemployed - I actually found that if you were there to take advice and actually look for a job that you wanted to do they were great as you'd be a breath of fresh air