Human Resources professionals - would you consider meeting with someone with good skills for a job not posted?
Asked by Cali Girl
I have a bunch of companies in mind that I wouldn't mind working for and I was wondering whether it would be appropriate for me to just contact the human resources department to set up meetings with them so they can meet me in person even if they don't exactly have a position open at the current moment?

Best Answer:
You could send in your resume and cover letter and indicate that you would like to be considered for any open positions that they may have. Most H.R. professionals will not agree to meet with someone and go over their skills if they do not have an opening or want to interview that person for a job. You could always give it a try and see if you can get a meeting set up with someone.

Of course. The best jobs aren't posted.
Answered by Mandalyn

Your idea is brilliant, actually. The only other thing I'd add is possibly using a direct mailing campaign prior to making the call. Networking meetings or informational interviews are essential to a complete self-marketing plan. However, the purpose of the meeting isn't to directly request a job. It is to find out more about the company and build strategic relationships so that when something does become available they will keep you in mind. Working the unpublished job market is critical since some sources cite that as many as 80% of available jobs aren't found through published job ads. A job search that doesn't include both the published and unpublished market isn't complete. Do be mindful of the HR professional or hiring manager's time since you aren't responding to a published ad. Good luck!
Answered by urban_career_coach

I think this is a good idea, although I do say this with caution. I do believe that the previous responders are dead on the money that 80% of all jobs are not posted on the famous job boards like Careerbuilder.com or Monster.com. Many times a company will advertise internally for a period of time (for example 30 days) and then will open the job to their personal network of professional contacts. Finally they will release it on the jobboards. When the job is released, the recruiter will often be flooded with bad, good and great resumes. If you wait untill then, you wuill have to compete with the other applicants. Here is a process that I recommend to others in my Green Collar staffing agency. 1) Send out a phyical letter explaining your interest in their company and what type of position you are interested, most important is that you request the opportunity to call them (don't forget your contact info and a clean resume) 2) Follow up if you are not contacted with a friendly telephone call (don't be pushy or waste their time). HR professionals are usually overworked and are constantly bombarded from multiple directions, so make sure your message is clear and concise 3) Send quarterly postcards or emails to "keep the channels open". 4) If a position opens and you were not directly contacted, then include in your cover letter and resume a reminder that you have been in contact with them for a while. my rule of thumb for every 9 doors that shut in your face (and they will) one will open. Best of Luck!
Answered by TOM H