I am in job-hunting hell after returning to Australia from an 18-month stint in Europe. I'm in magazine publishing and have plenty of high-level experience including a year in a publishing company in London. Of course that doesn't help much in the current job market - the industry is small and difficult enough in my city without the additional climate. Sigh.
Anyhow, in the interests of increasing my chances of getting a job - especially in this industry where positions often aren't advertised in the usual way - I've decided to directly approach some of the companies I would like to work for, and hope that something has or will come available sometime soon. This has worked for me pretty well in the past - I got my first job out of uni after basically swamping the industry with my CV, and got four interviews and two job offers.
I have a standard cover letter that I use for job applications (which I tailor for the specific criteria and positions) and I always start that by saying something like 'I am writing in application for XX position, as advertised at XX'. I'm having trouble coming up with a suitable way to open a covering letter or email for a job that isn't specifically advertised. Something like 'I would like to introduce myself and express my interest in working for your company', but perhaps more professional/elegant?
Please help - my brain isn't working well today!
Also - there is one company that I applied for a job with about six months before I went overseas. I came close to getting the job but in the end I didn't. Then, about two months before I was due to leave, the editor emailed me and asked if I was still looking for a job, as they had something in mind for me. I told her I would have loved to take them up on it but I had already made my plans to move to the UK. That editor has left the company now but the publisher met me as well and should remember me I think. How should I word an email to her to let her know that I am back in the country and still interested in working for them, if they have anything available?
Anyhow, in the interests of increasing my chances of getting a job - especially in this industry where positions often aren't advertised in the usual way - I've decided to directly approach some of the companies I would like to work for, and hope that something has or will come available sometime soon. This has worked for me pretty well in the past - I got my first job out of uni after basically swamping the industry with my CV, and got four interviews and two job offers.
I have a standard cover letter that I use for job applications (which I tailor for the specific criteria and positions) and I always start that by saying something like 'I am writing in application for XX position, as advertised at XX'. I'm having trouble coming up with a suitable way to open a covering letter or email for a job that isn't specifically advertised. Something like 'I would like to introduce myself and express my interest in working for your company', but perhaps more professional/elegant?
Please help - my brain isn't working well today!
Also - there is one company that I applied for a job with about six months before I went overseas. I came close to getting the job but in the end I didn't. Then, about two months before I was due to leave, the editor emailed me and asked if I was still looking for a job, as they had something in mind for me. I told her I would have loved to take them up on it but I had already made my plans to move to the UK. That editor has left the company now but the publisher met me as well and should remember me I think. How should I word an email to her to let her know that I am back in the country and still interested in working for them, if they have anything available?
