How to Write an Unsolicited Cover Letter

Job hunting is hard work, for both you and employers. If you are a job seeker trying to find the perfect position to enhance your career, you are probably finding that you are in a sea of competition who are all racing towards the top, and that is exhausting. But what if I told you that you could go about your job search in an entirely different way that not only undercuts your competition but may give you prime exposure to hiring companies that are not even advertising in the first place? OK, you got me right there. This is no news. You already knew this. The question now then is why are you not doing this? To streamline this process for you, I have a list of thousands of companies that you could target in your job search process.

Click here to explore if you are in Germany and here if you are in the Netherlands.

Now that I have won you over, lets explore how you can tailor your cover letter to hopefully get you what you want.

Unsolicited Cover Letters

Did you know that just about 80% of jobs operating in private sectors are never advertised? Because of this very reason, it is exceptionally beneficial in sending unsolicited cover letter applications. Yes, they may feel time-consuming to conduct with no real indication if there is a role open or not, but it can also be your ticket in landing your dream job, and that potential outcome is worth the effort. 

Not to mention that if there is a vacant position getting ready to be advertised, you will be effectively bypassing the entire job queue beforehand. So, how do you write such a cover letter that can grab attention? Below is a sample for someone in the engineering field.

Engineering Cover Letter Sample

Subject: Engineering Position Inquiry – Dan Solomon 

Dear Sir / Madam (only use this form of salutation if you can’t find the name of the recruiter or hiring manager),

I am writing to inquire about potential current or future engineering positions with your company. After reading about your recent successes, I was very impressed with your company’s brand and profile and would love the opportunity to become an integral part of your engineering team.

I hold a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, and I have cultivated extensive training in leadership and engineering missile operations during my two-year internship at ABC Company. While there, I was also able to implement new testing procedures that reduced our beta testing phase by 15%. This meant that our clients were able to see their finished prototype weeks before leading competitors.

Attached you will find my CV to review. I believe that my skills and qualifications would make me an innovative asset to your company, and I would love the ability to join your team now or in the near future.

Thank you very much for your time and please do not hesitate in contacting me in case of any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Dan Solomon

Conclusion

I know it may sound strange to take the time to write an unsolicited cover letter to express your interest in working with a potential employer who may or may not have a position open. But the mere fact that so many companies have roles open that are not listed makes this such a powerful leg up in the competitive market. In summary, do your research on the company, make it personable, show your heightened interest, and you just might be surprised that they have a perfect position open for you to fulfill.

Use the list of companies here if you are in Germany and here if you are in the Netherlands to get started.

If you are interested in American companies in Germany, click here to download the list.

Good luck!