Submitting Your Resume Without A Job Posting

Tricks for submitting your resume

This is often referred to as a “blind” job application or “blindly submitting your resume.” People often assume there has to be a job posting, but this is not the case.

If you find a company that you really want to work for but can’t find a job opening, you could really benefit from submitting your resume anyway.

Getting your name (and your resume) in front of the right people in the right way, will get their attention, even if they don’t have an immediate need for your amazing skills. You never know, they may decide they really do need you after all. Or they will think of you first as soon as a position does open up.

Related: Reasons to Avoid Filling Out Job Applications

Finding the Key Person at a Company

The trick is to find the right person to give your resume to.

Some companies have hiring managers, or HR departments, but that may still feel like sending your resume into a black hole–but it’s a start.

Research the company and find the department that you want to work in. Use your networking skills and connections on LinkedIn to see if you know someone who already works there that can put you in touch with the right person. If you don’t, you can call up the company and ask. Job searching is a little like detective work.

Related: What a Resume Critique Can do for your Job Search

Submitting Your Resume Blind

Start with an email introducing yourself and explain the reasons why you are interested in working for the company. You can even request an informational interview to find out more about the company and the industry. Include that you will follow up the email with a call.

When you do call, do it with the intent of scheduling some kind of meeting for some reason. Get in front of someone so they can meet you and remember you. And always, ALWAYS follow up any meeting with a Thank You.

Do you have any other good tricks for getting your foot in the door when there is no job posting? We would love to hear them!

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