definition of a speculative cover letter

Speculative cover letter examples

Speculative cover letters can be a proactive way to get your foot in the door and find jobs that haven’t even been advertised yet.

But with so much resting on this application, you need to use the space wisely to explain what type of role you’re looking for and what attracted you to their company.

Find out how to do that successfully with our expert advice and speculative cover letter examples in the guide below.

Speculative cover letter example 1

Speculative cover letter example 2

Speculative cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Speculative cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a Speculative cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.

It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

• I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.

Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.

Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.

This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Aaron Smith Customer service professional 075557437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Speculative cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Speculative cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Speculative cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Speculative cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I am writing to express my strong interest in any upcoming data engineering and analytics opportunities available at Intuita. Over the course of my 17 years of experience in IT, I have diligently supervised cross-functional teams and delivered data-driven solutions that have transformed various businesses.

While there may not be a specific job opening advertised at this time, I believe my computer science qualifications align perfectly with your commitment to informed decision-making and technological advancements. In my current role as a Data Specialist at Sphere Digital Ltd, I use tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau to extract valuable insights from complex datasets, and subsequently translate these into actionable recommendations that positively impact the company’s performance.

Within the last 3 years I have successfully reduced the time spent on analysis by 25% through creating interactive visualisations, and lowered procurement expenses by 15% due to identifying cost-saving opportunities. I also developed automated dashboards that decreased report generation time by 50%.

I welcome the chance to discuss how my skills and qualification align with your organisation and would be keen to attend an interview when a suitable position becomes available.

Kind regards

Felicity Wright

Hello Roger

I read through your website and noticed that WSP is recruiting for a number of transport planning vacancies throughout the UK, and I am keen to offer my CV for any positions that come available in Hull.

As a results-oriented professional with a passion for optimising transportation operations and a strong background in logistics, I am enthusiastic about contributing my skills to your world-renowned organisation. Throughout my 10 years of experience in the industry, I have demonstrated my ability to optimise routes and ensure timely and cost-effective delivery solutions.

In my current role at DPD Group, I have implemented freight consolidation strategies that cut transportation expenses by 15%, coordinated with carriers in increases in on-time delivery performance by 25%, as well as introduced training programmes which boosted driver productivity by 35%. I firmly believe that my qualifications and past achievements align perfectly with your commitment to excellence in transportation services and continuous improvement.

Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to the possibility of joining your dynamic team when a vacancy arises in the future.

Sable Fernandez

Good afternoon, Miles

I am writing to show my interest in your upcoming opportunities as a landscape architect and consultant at Tyler Grange. As a creative and detail-oriented professional with a passion for transforming outdoor spaces into beautiful landscapes, I am eager to contribute my expertise to your organisation.

Over the course of 15 years in landscape architecture, I have demonstrated my ability to conceptualise and execute innovative projects, including urban design, public parks, greenways, and school gardens which align with clients’ visions and environmental sustainability. I believe that my qualifications and skills resonate perfectly with your establishment’s commitment to excellence in landscape design.

Some key achievements I have played a significant role in while at Atkins include, attaining a 98% on-time project completion rate for 7 straight years, as well as incorporating design practices and native plant selections that led to a 20% reduction in landscape maintenance costs. Furthermore, I generated £4M+ annually through client referrals and repeat business.

I am eager to discuss any upcoming landscape architecture vacancies in greater detail. Please feel free to contact me via email or by phone to schedule an interview.

Vincent Cowell

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Speculative job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

What Is a Speculative Cover Letter?

Who should i send my speculative cover letter to, what to include in a speculative cover letter, example speculative cover letter, what happens next, tips for writing your speculative cover letter, final thoughts, how to write a speculative cover letter.

Updated October 11, 2023

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A speculative cover letter is sent to apply for or enquire about a job that is not currently being advertised.

You should consider making a speculative job application if you are:

• Actively looking for a new job role
• Trying to find a work experience placement
• Thinking about making a career move

To find out which jobs fit your personality best, visit our partner CareerFitter and take the Career Test for FREE .

Get An Expert Cover Letter

Sending a speculative job application can be an effective way to show you are keen, motivated and committed to your career goals .

Remember, even if the company you send your speculative cover letter to doesn’t have any current job vacancies, opening a dialogue with them could help to ensure you are at the top of the list when a suitable vacancy comes up in the future.

Much like a standard cover letter , a speculative cover letter accompanies your CV when you are applying for a job. However, a speculative cover letter is different from a standard cover letter in a few ways.

Standard cover letters are usually sent when applying for an advertised vacancy and should be tailored to that vacancy. In contrast, a speculative cover letter is sent to apply for a job that has not been advertised.

Standard cover letters need to be highly focused on niche or specialist skills that are outlined in a job description or person specification.

In contrast, a speculative cover letter should:

• Give details of your relevant transferable skills
• Outline your past work experience
• Demonstrate why you would be a good fit for the company

As with any cover letter, a well written speculative cover letter will provide you with the opportunity to engage with the recipient and start building up a positive rapport.

Where possible, try to send your speculative job application to a particular person, rather than a generic department.

If you are not sure of the name of the person you should send your speculative cover letter to, have a look at the employer’s website. Try to find out the name of the manager for the department you are interested in working for.

Alternatively, you could call the HR department to find out the name of the department manager.

Sending your speculative cover letter to a specific person will help to ensure your letter is read by the most appropriate employee or department. It will also show that you have carried out some background research into the company and its current employees.

You can choose to send a speculative cover letter by email or by letter. The advantage of a letter is that it will land on somebody’s desk, making it harder to ignore.

Your speculative cover letter will need to be both engaging and informative.

As you are not writing to apply for one particular job role, you will need to provide an overview of the skills and experience that you have gained so far. A speculative job application aims to show the employer that you are a good all-rounder, not just a specialist in one single area.

Whilst a speculative cover letter is not tailored to a particular job role, it will need to be written specifically for an employer. So, if you are planning to send out more than one speculative job application, you will need to adjust each letter accordingly.

A speculative cover letter will need to include the following information:

A brief outline of the type of job role you would be interested in applying for

Information on your existing skills and experience and how these could be of benefit to the business

An outline of the reasons why you would like to work for the business

A closing summary to reiterate what you would be able to offer to the business

An assertive, confident call to action to end the letter; for example, ‘I look forward to hearing from you soon’, instead of, ‘I hope to hear from you soon’

When writing your speculative cover letter, try not to repeat the information contained within your CV.

Don’t forget to include your name, address and contact details (including your mobile telephone number and email address).

If you are unable to find out the specific manager’s name, start your letter with ‘ Dear Sir/Madam ’ and close it with ‘ Yours faithfully ’.

If you have managed to find a named person to send the letter to, you can start your letter with ‘ Dear [Name] ’ and close the letter with ‘ Yours sincerely ’.

Here is an outline of what your speculative cover letter should look like. This speculative cover letter template is for a person who wants to make an application to a legal firm.

Jane Laws 1 The Street Townford TR17 9NQ 01234 567891 [email protected] Mrs D Judge Legal Practice London W3 2QQ Dear Mrs Judge I would like to enquire whether you have any current administrative vacancies within your firm. Please find enclosed my CV, which outlines the experience I have gained during my career to date. Having worked as a legal secretary for the past five years, I have demonstrated my commitment to providing high-quality legal administration services. I have a sound working knowledge of industry terminology and legal working practices. I am proud that my dedication and commitment to my work has been recognised through a recent nomination for the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs ‘Legal PA of the Year Award’. My experience to date has been gained through working for two small legal practices. While this has been both challenging and enjoyable, I would like to develop my skills and experience further in a fast-paced, busy role. I understand your company is one of the largest legal practices in London with continuing plans for growth, making it the ideal place to pursue my future career objectives. As an administrative worker for your firm, I would strive to support your partners with high-quality secretarial support. I am a competent typist with a keen eye for detail and a proven ability to cope under pressure at all times. I would be delighted to have the opportunity to discuss my application with you in further detail. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours sincerely Jane Laws

After you post your speculative cover letter, you will need to be patient. You probably won’t hear anything straight away but, hopefully, the recipient of your letter will be in touch to discuss job vacancies you may be suitable for.

If you still haven’t heard anything back within two weeks, it is advisable to follow up with the employer directly, to check that they have received your letter.

If they say that they haven’t received it, ask them whether they would be happy for you to re-send it over to them. At this point, you could find out whether they would be happy for you to send it by email, as they will know to look out for it in their inbox.

Even if the manager says that there are no suitable vacancies available at the moment, you could still ask them to provide you with constructive feedback on your speculative job application. This will help you to improve any speculative applications you make in the future.

Step 1 . Do Your Research

Find out as much as you possibly can about the business you are planning to write to. For example:

• What is their mission statement?
• What are their values?
• What product or service do they provide?
• Who are their customers?
• Who are their main competitors?
• How many people do they employ?
• What are the must-have skills for employees?

The company website is a good place to start. You could also browse through relevant social media pages, press releases and industry-specific content like blogs or newsletters.

Use the information that you find to help you write your speculative job application. For example, if you already have a particular qualification or skill that they want all of their employees to have, make sure this is clearly stated within your application.

Or, if you find out that they are planning to expand or acquire another company, let them know if this is a process you have had experience with in the past.

Step 2 . Keep Your Speculative Cover Letter Short and Professional

It is important to keep your speculative cover letter short and to the point . Keep the content succinct and focused – doing so will help to ensure the recipient reads it and digests the information it contains.

A letter that is too long will probably end up in the waste paper bin before it has even been read.

To ensure your letter makes a good first impression, set it out formally, use an easy-to-read font (such as Calibri or Arial, size 11 or 12) and write a maximum of five short paragraphs.

Step 3 . Proofread

When making speculative job applications, your cover letter is the one opportunity you have to make a good impression. If the text is littered with spelling and grammar errors, this is unlikely to make the manager want to call you to discuss a potential job opening.

Make sure you proofread your letter thoroughly, and ask a friend or family member to check through it too.

If you are looking for ways to progress your career, there is no need for you to wait for the perfect job vacancy to be advertised online.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by sending out a speculative job application. After all, your employer of choice could be just waiting for somebody with your skills and experience to make contact with them.

By sending a speculative job application to your preferred employers, you will show them that you are confident, enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile to achieve your career objectives.

Don’t forget, a speculative cover letter aims to show the employer why you would be a great addition to their existing team. Ensure your application gives an overview of your existing qualifications, skills and experience, and how this could help the business to achieve its goals.

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How To Write A Speculative Cover Letter With Template

Wondering how to write a speculative cover letter?

A speculative CV with an accompanying cover letter is a way of connecting with employers when they’re not advertising vacancies.

Speculative applications can have great results, and can also be an effective way of  getting internships or work placements .

Lots of positions are filled without ever being advertised, so a speculative letter could be your way in.

Here’s how to write a speculative cover letter that strikes the right tone and helps you get your foot in the door.

We’ve also written a speculative cover letter template to show how to format and write your letter – this can be found at the bottom of the blog.

Start by researching thoroughly

Once you’ve found an organisation you’d like to work for, the first thing to do is  research it thoroughly .

Find out everything you can about the organisation, its staff and the wider industry it operates in.

Most of the information you’ll need will be readily available from online sources, including:

• The organisation’s website
• Press releases published by the organisation
• Its LinkedIn page and social media profiles
• News articles relating to the organisation
• Industry-specific publications, newsletters or blogs
• Review sites like  Glassdoor

The more knowledge you can arm yourself with, the better you’ll be able to work out how your skills, experience and interests could benefit the organisation, and how you’ll be the perfect fit for the company.

And remember, when writing a speculative cover letter, accuracy is key.

Misspelling the name of the organisation, its products or services or the addressee (ultimately the decision maker) could spell disaster for your speculative letter.

Know who you’re talking to

Research the organisation’s staff list carefully to find out who to address your letter to. This may be:

• The managing director, if it’s a smaller firm
• A head of department
• The hiring manager
• A member of the HR department

It’s absolutely crucial that you address the letter to a specific person. ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ or ‘To whom it may concern’ won’t score you any points, especially if they have their name in their email address.

Mention early on or at the end of the letter that you’ve attached your CV to the email, to encourage the reader to look at this after the cover letter.

Strike the right tone

It can be hard to judge how to write a speculative cover letter and what tone to use. In our opinion, it’s best to opt for a formal tone. You don’t know the person, so don’t be over-familiar.

Open with ‘Dear [person’s name]’, and avoid any informal chit-chat like ‘I hope you had a good weekend’. Keep your tone friendly but professional throughout, and close with ‘Yours sincerely’.

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Don’t apologise

You might think sending a speculative CV and cover letter will come across as pushy or presumptuous – but hiring managers are unlikely to see it that way.

Don’t be tempted to start with something apologetic like ‘I hope you don’t mind me contacting you unsolicited’.

There’s no need to apologise – a speculative application is evidence that you’re  enthusiastic and proactive , rather than arrogant.

Get straight to the point

If you’re wondering about how to start a speculative cover letter, our top tip would be: get to the point!

Hiring managers are busy – so don’t waste their time. Too many speculative cover letters suffer from long, repetitive introductions,  clichéd language  and wordy explanations that are unlikely to be read.

Cut to the chase straight away. Say why you’re writing, and demonstrate how you can benefit the organisation with a few  key highlights from your CV .

Get that cover letter written by us!

Cover letter, format your cover letter appropriately.

A formally laid out cover letter is likely to have a better chance of succeeding. Put your name, address and the date on the right at the top, and the addressee’s details on the left starting on the line below.

The purpose of a speculative job letter is to get the hiring manager to look at your CV – so give them a reason to read it with three or four solid points straight off the bat.

You could format these as bullet points to make them even easier to read.

Keep paragraphs short and snappy and try to keep your letter to around half a page, and definitely no more than one page.

Focus on the employer

When writing a speculative cover letter, you should say as much (if not more) about the organisation you’re writing to as you do about yourself.

Try not to start every paragraph with ‘I’. You want to communicate what you can do for the organisation and why you want to work there, so try to evidence the knowledge you gained through your research.

What challenges and opportunities is the organisation facing? Try to focus on the person reading the letter and their priorities, and give a few examples from your experience that show how you can meet them.

Avoid the hard sell. Some sources recommend ending with something like ‘I’ll be calling you next week to schedule an interview’, but this pushy approach may backfire.

End simply by expressing that you’d like the opportunity to continue the conversation. Specify how the hiring manager can contact you (by phone or at your email address, for example) followed by ‘I look forward to hearing from you’.

As always, check, check and check again for typos and grammatical errors. Get someone else to proofread it for you if you can.

If you don’t hear anything within a couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to  follow up by email or phone . This will show perseverance and a real desire to work for the organisation.

It’s also an opportunity to ask for constructive feedback if you weren’t successful.

Speculative cover letter template

Below is an annotated speculative cover letter example to give you an idea of how to format and write the letter:

How to write a speculative cover letter: a summary

A speculative application can be a great way to engage with an organisation, and could get you one step closer to your dream job.

Even if the employer doesn’t have your perfect role open immediately, it could put you on their radar as someone to contact in the future.

We hope our guide has given you a better idea of how to write a speculative cover letter.

Remember, a cover letter acts as the bait to get hiring managers to read your CV – so make sure your accompanying CV is as good as it can be!

Need help crafting a kickass CV? Our tailor-made CVs showcase your best bits and set you head and shoulders above the job market competition.  Find out more .

Want to know more about how to write a good standard cover letter? Go back to basics with  these principles.  You can see some  examples of cover letters here , including a speculative cover letter example.

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Do speculative cover letters work?

When writing your cover letter: be concise, do your research and avoid the hard-sell to achieve job success Three excellent cover letter examples Sell yourself: a cover letter guide for beginners

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Speculative letters (by post or email) might work better than you think. They're a recognised way of communicating with employers who are not currently advertising for staff. If your message finds a decision-maker who has a problem or an opportunity, you could be in a meeting pretty fast. But consider if a letter out of the blue is the best method of connecting with an organisation – it's often more effective to get a warm introduction through existing contacts.

Be concise and to the point

Many speculative letters are pure time wasters. They make little attempt to understand the needs of the organisation, and are instantly considered as junk mail. Too many letters use dull, predictable wording, over-long introductions and explanations, and communicate too much using long paragraphs which will never be read. Get to the point quickly. Show, rather than tell, how you have the skills and know-how necessary to do the job – provide evidence in bullet point form. Get across key evidence from your CV, but avoid repeating exact phrases.

The first mistake is to believe that it sells you into a meeting. It won't. If you're lucky, it will simply persuade the reader to consider your CV. The only function of a cover letter is to get your CV read, and to get you a meeting. If your CV is a short book, your cover letter is like the blurb on the cover – it gives a reason to start reading. It should therefore flag up three or four strong items in your CV worth considering.

The second mistake is to rehearse every reason why you might get hired. Some candidates send in cover letters more than two pages long, crammed with information. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the longer you argue your case, the better your chances of an interview - the opposite is almost certainly the case. If you can't write a coherent one-page letter, what does that say about your communication skills in the job?

The employer is the focus not you

Try not to begin every sentence and paragraph with "I". Focus on the reader of the letter and his or her perspective. Your letter should say more about the employer than it says about you. State why you are attracted to the organisation and what you like about it. Research. Refer to the problems, opportunities and headaches your target company is facing. Remember Swot as a prompt: what can you say about a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? Try to work out the top half dozen or so priorities in the employer's mind and offer five or six matching pieces of evidence in your cover letter.

Why are you a good match?

Refer the reader to your enclosed CV, stating briefly why you are a good match as a candidate. Don't apologise in your letter for the lack of industry experience or your lack of a specific qualification. Select a range of achievements relevant to the needs of the organisation, and set out your top three or four as bullet points in the letter. This short burst of information is the element most likely to get you into a meeting.

Avoid the hard-sell

In the UK job market, selling yourself too hard can be counter-productive. Avoid the pushy assumptive close you see in some recommended formats: "I'll be calling you on Monday to discuss my application further", or "I will expect your call". Simply end your message stating that you'd like the opportunity to take the conversation further – they'll respond fast enough if they're interested.

Accuracy and research

Ensure complete accuracy in names and job titles, as well as the name of the organisation itself (plus the names of products or services). Cut and paste from previous letters with great care. Print a letter off and proof read it carefully before emailing.

Don't put anything in your cover letter which gives the reader an excuse to put it aside. For example, apologising for your lack of a particular requirement, mentioning your age, or referring to negative aspects such as why you left your last job.

Research the staff list of the organisation carefully to ensure your letter is read by the right decision maker. It pays to make some calls to anyone who knows anything about the organisation so you can find out who to approach and what you might say which makes your approach stand out. Remember that the organisation will be researching you in return – make sure your LinkedIn page is up to date and tells the story you want to get across. Telephone to check that your letter has been received by the intended recipient. If you get connected, ask one relevant question, and mention one reason why you might be able to help the employer, then suggest a meeting.

John Lees is a career coach, founder of John Lees Associates and author of Knockout CV .

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Making Speculative Applications

A speculative application involves proactively approaching an employer to seek out opportunities that have not been advertised.

These may be necessary for:

• Work in sectors where not all vacancies are advertised (eg: journalism, broadcasting, publishing, television and film)
• Contacting an organisation you are interested in but are not currently recruiting
• Vacation work
• Unpaid work experience or work shadowing

Who to Contact

Think about who you know – friends, family, tutors – that might help you get in touch with someone in the organisation or sector of interest.

At Oxford you also have access to alumni contacts that can be very helpful in this regard. For example, you can contact people through the university and/or your college alumni office and LinkedIn. For more ideas about how to develop your network and find contacts, see our webpage on  Networking .

Some sectors and organisations may have different recruitment timelines from the traditional “milkround” (which is typically from September – December), so ensure that you do some research on the ideal time to apply.  eg: contact the organisation or try to find out which time of year is best to submit your application.

If you are looking for work experience or internships, it might also be worth contacting the recruiting or HR team of the company you are interested in to find out whether they offer this.

A speculative application usually consists of a CV and Cover Letter, but could be preceded or followed up with a telephone call. A few pointers:

• Write to a named individual if possible.
• Review an  Example Speculative Cover Letter  for ideas.
• Match the tone of the letter to the organisation. For example, a media company may appreciate a less formal approach than perhaps a law firm, which is more likely to appreciate a more traditional approach.
• Careful targeting is far more likely to lead to success than sending out numerous near-identical applications.
• Research the role, organisation and sector and demonstrate your understanding in your letter. Allow your motivation and interest to come through and you will stand out as a knowledgeable applicant.
• Clearly and quickly establish what you want and why. If your goal is work experience, try to be open to the type of work experience (work shadowing, internship, visiting the organisation) you are willing to do. Be clear about what you would be interested in, but don’t close any doors!
• Make it clear what you have to offer them. You are making a business proposition, and must prepare your case carefully and research the organisation.
• Follow our standard advice for writing  CVs  and  Cover Letters . For example, tailor each speculative application to the organisation, and demonstrate how your experience and achievements are relevant.
• The more research you do about the person you are sending the email or letter to, about the organisation and their competitors and the sector overall, the better you will tailor the cv and cover letter into their language and to resonate with their values and traditions. To understand how much research is possible, please  watch Edward Druce’s TED Talk: “How to land your dream job with one email”
• You may wish to follow up with a phone call (1-2 weeks after you have sent it) to check that it was received and if there is any feedback.

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Speculative cover letter

Not all roles are formally advertised, and this is where speculative cover letters come in useful. With the help of our speculative cover letter example, you can create your own opportunities

Speculative approaches can be a great way of getting your foot in the door in competitive industries. They demonstrate dedication and a proactive nature and can give you an early start on your competition.

In the opening paragraph of a speculative cover letter explain what sort of role you're looking for. Then move on to show you've done your research by explaining why you're attracted to the company.

Next you need to talk about the skills and experience you have gained that are relevant to the company and the type of role you're looking for. It's best to show that you're an all-rounder so don't restrict yourself by focusing on one skill or area.

Finally, end on a positive note. Thank them for taking the time to read your application and that you look forward to hearing from them soon.

Please be aware that this is an example. Use this cover letter template to help generate ideas and structure your own document but avoid copying and pasting. Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Anika Nawar 42 The Grove Grovetown CQ55 1WX [email protected] 07788123123

Julia Corning Graduate manager Media Company Business Shed Enterprise Street London SE1 J99

5th May 2023

Dear Ms Corning

I am a second-year media design student who is looking to gain some industry experience. I would like to do a summer placement/internship with Media Company and am writing to you to see what opportunities there are.

I know Media Company has a strong reputation in the industry. I was particularly attracted by the work you did for X Communications, which I came across during research for a university project. Your designs caught my eye and your understanding of the UX made our project flow well - and helped us achieve top marks for our year.

My website www.anikanawar.co.uk shows the range of my work, including a project for sportXperience.

As you can see from my CV I have attended industry events including:

• New Designers (Part 2) at the Business Design Centre, London, June 2022
• Young Designers Workshop Series, Manchester, 2020-2022
• Web Design Industry Masterclass, London 2021

These were a great opportunity to network with peers and meet industry experts.

Along with a group of other students, I have been instrumental in setting up a blog www.webX.com . We have run two online student events and are currently crowdfunding a live event.

I can offer Media Company my flexibility, excellent time management skills, entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to work hard and learn quickly.

I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you.

Yours sincerely

(Sign your name here)

Anika Nawar

Find out more

• Get more information on cover letters .
• Learn more about the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter .
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How to Write a Speculative Cover Letter

You may have spotted an employer that you’d love to work for, but they’re not currently hiring for any position that fits with your aspirations. Speculative applications can have great results, especially for those wanting to get an internship, work placement, apprenticeship or graduate job. You’ll need to be engaging, expressive and able to confidently discuss your skill to really have an effect.

Why Send a Speculative Cover Letter?

If you’re looking for a job within a competitive industry, you may need to be proactive with your job searches and job application as not all roles are formally advertised. Plus, if there’s a company that you think could provide you with your dream job, why not give it a shot? A speculative CV with an accompanying cover letter is a great way of connecting with recruiters or potential employers when they’re not advertising vacancies.

How to Start a Covering Letter

Before you think about sitting down and writing your covering letter, you’ll need to research the company. Even if you know a lot about the company, you’ll want to brush up on your knowledge in order to create a good cover letter.

Find out everything you can about the organisation, including its staff and also the wider industry they operate within.

Take a look through their website and also look for press releases as well as related news article to really find out what’s happening at their organisation. Make sure you look at their social media profiles and also look on websites such as Glassdoor for staff reviews on working there.

The more knowledge you have to start with, the easier it will be to write your covering letter. It’s this knowledge that will enable you to connect your skills, experience and interests to their company.

What to Include and what not to Include

The general formatting of a speculative letter will be relatively similar to a standard cover letter:

• Start with personal information such as your name, address and contact details. You should never include your national insurance number or bank details on your cover letter.
• Include information to your social media platforms such as Linkedin. There should be crucial information about your work experience on there and it will also enable them to get a better indication of your interests through shared articles and endorsed skills.
• Include the manager’s name if you have it, but if you don’t just use Dear Sir/Madam.
• Within the first paragraph, you should outline what type of role you’re looking for, and why you want to work for that particular company.
• The second paragraph should explain more about the skills you possess and any experience you have that could be of interest to them. There is no job description so you’ll have to be inventive on how your skill set may apply to their business.
• The closing paragraph is the last chance for you to make an impression. You need to tell them exactly why you’d be perfect for the company and what you could potentially contribute. If there isn’t an open job, why should they open one for you? what do you have that is different? this doesn’t always have to be your skills, genuine passion for the company and their values could be enough.
• To close the covering letter, thank them for their time and sign-off the cover letter with ‘Yours faithfully’)

The final thing to mention here is that you must ensure there are no spelling mistakes. This involves specific person names, product names and relations to the company especially. You can use a spell checker or Grammarly for the checking of punctuation and spelling, but they may not pick up branded names so you’ll need to double-check.

Get to the Point, Set your Tone & Don't Apologise

You might think that sending a speculative application and cover letter could come across as pushy or presumptuous by the receiver. In most cases this couldn’t be any further from the truth, HR teams are often impressed by this process as it shows passion, confidence and forthcomingness. It’s also worth mentioning that recruiting can be a timely and expensive process, so someone coming forth is a great way for them to avoid this.

What you absolutely shouldn’t do is open with anything apologetic such as ‘I hope you don’t mind me contacting you’. You need to be confident that you’re offering them something of value and apologising for contacting them doesn’t give that impression. A speculative application is verification that you’re an enthusiastic and proactive individual, rather than arrogant or presumptuous.

The best start to a speculative cover letter is one that gets straight to the point. HR teams and managers are busy people so avoid long-winded introductions and ones that are copied off the internet as they’ll have read it ten times already.

Quickly explain why you’re writing to them. Don’t just explain, demonstrate how you can benefit their company with key highlights from your CV. Keep to a formal layout and ensure all the points in the ‘What to Include and what not to Include’ section are covered. Make a mental note to keep the information condensed.

By now you’re likely wondering, how many words should a cover letter be? There really is no golden number, it’s about how many words it takes to really sell your worth to the company. The general guidelines are to stick to around half a page and definitely no more than one page.

We hope our guide has given you the knowledge you need to go and write an amazing speculative cover letter that lands you the position you desire. Remember the cover letter is the bait to get the HR team to read your CV, so make sure your CV is as good as your covering letter!

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How to Write a Speculative Cover Letter – Tips and Examples

Do you know the trick to flood your inbox with a job offer? Yes, you heard it right. There are tricks for receiving job offers from your desired designation and company. All you need to do is – think a bit out of the box for the job you want.

This approach does not work for everyone. But sometimes, sending resumes randomly to every company isn’t going to work. You need to have a speculative cover letter that makes you win the job.

It’s time to reveal the trick, that is – speculative cover letter! Wait, do not worry and panic about what is it and how to create it. This article by CustomCv.co.uk will guide you each and everything about it.

Take the tips from our expert cover letter writers to know the basics of creating a speculative cover letter to its technicities. It will include the entire fundamentals, its meaning, purpose, and how to write a good speculative letter step by step to impress your employer.

The magic of speculative cover letters works so extensively that it helps you in grabbing jobs that are not even publicly announced or disclosed. It is an incredibly useful cover letter that you can write in just five minutes after thoroughly reading this article.

A speculative cover letter is sent along with a CV, written with a particular designation in mind. They are more tailor to your desired company you want to work for by selling your skills, experience, and potential.

A speculative application basically means that you are getting in touch with your desired firm where you want to do a job by asking them that whether they have a suitable vacancy for you or not.

Tips to Write An Impressive Speculative Cover Letter

Without a further delay, we are throwing a top six tips to write an impressive speculative cover letter:

Use the perfect speculative cover letter format:

It is highly suggested to use the appropriate standard cover letter format while writing a speculative cover letter, for example:

• The line spacing should be single or 1.15 and out the uniform space among all the paragraphs.
• Fix the full page at one- inch margin.
• The font size should be 12 to be readable enough.
• The cover letter’s content should be concise and engaging that should not exceed more than one page.

Create a professional header:

• All relevant information should be included like name, contact number, residential address, and email address. It should be right-aligned, including the date with the format dd/mm/yy.
• After that, write all the relevant information of the addressee’s with that person’s name in the left alignment.

Start with a personal greeting and compelling introduction:

Since in a speculative cover letter you are telling your favorite firm that you are interested in serving them so it should be appealing to your employer by grasping their attention and make your reader hungrier to read, for example:  

• It should start with dear along with the hiring manager name.
• Declare the designation or the job role you may be interested in.
• Show your passion and compassion for the industry you are targeting. It should have the potential to flatter your employer so they may shortlist you as a dedicated employee.
• Highlight your impressive professional achievement that served as a hook to your reader, such as increasing the sales revenue, making a saving and beating a company target.

Do not try or not even think to copy-paste the letter as it looks vague and fails to compels your reader and your employer to directly dispose of your cover letter to the spam folder.

Show you are a potential candidate:

The best way to show that you are dedicated and the best fit for their organization, so you need to do in-depth research or dip deeper. Suppose you have this information about the company. Find out the organization name, mission, and vision, staff, and swots of the company. In that case, it definitely illustrates you as a dedicated employee that will be the best fit for the company.

Say thank you and include a call to action:

In the ending paragraph, your speculative cover letter must include thank you in a very good manner because the employer is kind enough to take out their precious time to read it. You should also incorporate more powerful effects by including a call to action so that the employer or the hiring manager can pick up the phone to speak to you.

Finish the cover letter with the professional sign-off:

You are almost at the end step of the speculative cover letter, so do not ruin your all efforts by ending in a wrong manner, for example:

• You should sign off with your full name.
• The utilization of “your sincerely” is necessary when you know the name of the person. You should use “you’re faithful” if you don’t know the person and his name.
• You must incorporate the digital copy of your signature at the end of your letter.
• If cover letter is sent as the body of an email, put your contact details below your signature.

Speculative Cover Letter Sample Template:

Here is an example of a speculative cover letter annotated as a sample. This tells how to write an impressive cover letter through which the hiring manager considers you as the best fit for the vacancy.

• You have write your appropriate address on the top of the letter using right alignment.
• Put the complete address of the organization using left alignment just below your address.
• Use the right name of the person, if you don’t know the person’s name so use hiring manager or the recruiter.
• Start with personal greeting and compelling introduction that act as Hooke to the hiring manger.
• These are the body paragraphs. In body paragraph you have to get to the point directly. This tells how you can benefit to the company through your skills, experience and interest that makes you best fit for the company.
• This is the ending paragraph. Ending of your letter must tell that you are eagerly waiting for their opportunity or call back.
• Sign off with your sincerely or (your faithfully in case you don’t know the person name) accompanied with your signature.

Summary: How to Write a Speculative Cover Letter with Example

Concisely, the speculative cover letter has the potential to widen your job-seeking horizons and let you access the job, which isn’t being advertised publicly. But you can get it if you follow the details mentioned earlier and the tips.

Now we sum up the tips mentioned above that utilization of the standard format and rules is necessary. The introduction should be compelling, and the ending should be in a very kind way. It is compulsory to show that you are well-versed with the organization’s research and do not be vague in your writing. You should sign off properly and formally by incorporating the call to action effect and thank you in a very formal way.

Here at CV Writings , we want you to avail amazing job opportunities. So, whenever you require a job from your desired firm. Remember these key points or get help from our professionals to write every Cover Letter for as little as £20.

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Speculative Cover Letter

Once you have identified the company or person who you are going to target, you will need to send a copy of a targeted CV and cover letter written for a speculative approach.

The cover letter should be set out formally and include company address, date, your contact details, etc., and should be no longer than one side of A4.

What to consider and include:

• A named contact to start your letter is ideal, but can be hard to source. "Dear recruiter/recruiting team" will suffice.
• Mention how you researched their company, referencing LinkedIn conversations, careers fairs, alumni events.
• Mention why you are interested in them / their work (your motivation)
• What types of opportunities that you are interested in?
• What can you offer, skills, knowledge, experience?
• When are you available?
• The letter should be concise, persuasive and eye catching.
• Ensure that you proof read. If possible, get someone else to proof read it, checking for grammar, punctuation, etc.
• End well, If you started your letter writing to a named person, you should finish "Yours sincerely". Otherwise is should end "Yours faithfully".
• Don't skip the evidence. Just stating you’ve got the required skills will not be convincing. Provide context for where you developed your skills, which leads to credibility.
• Don't make it too generic or vague.
• Don't waffle! Going off on tangents can distract and frankly put the employer off. So, think about what is relevant to the company and in particular, the type of opportunity that you are seeking.
• Use active language to describe your experience

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Home » 11+ Best Speculative Cover Letter Examples

11+ Best Speculative Cover Letter Examples

When looking for a job, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. A great way to do this is by sending a speculative cover letter. This type of letter is not attached to any specific job opening, but rather sent to a company with the hopes of getting their attention. To make sure your letter stands out, be creative and use examples from the company’s work or website to show that you’ve done your research. Check out some of our favorite speculative cover letters below!

Table of Contents

How To Write a Speculative Cover Letter?

A speculative cover letter is an approach tofinding a job where you get in touch with an employer to enquire about any upcoming vacancies, rather than responding to a specific job advert.

The key with a speculative cover letter is to research the company you’re contacting, so that you can demonstrate why you would be a valuable asset to their team – even if they don’t have any current vacancies.

To write a speculative cover letter:

• Start by doing your research
• Find the name of the contact person
• Write a compelling opening paragraph
• Outline your skills and experience
• Explain why you want to work for this company in particular
• Finish with a call to action.

If you follow these steps, you’ll be sure to write a speculative cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to landing your dream job.

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (And Get Hired in 2022!)

Speculative Cover Letter Example

To Whom Is My Concern,

Writing in regards to any available positions that may be open at your company. I am very interested in obtaining a position and feel that I would be a perfect candidate.

Have experience in customer service, sales, and marketing. I am a people person and enjoy working with the public. I am also proficient in Microsoft Office programs and have basic knowledge of HTML.

It is a hard worker who is always willing to learn new things. I am also a team player and work well with others. I am available to start work immediately and can be reached at 555-555-1212 or by email at [email protected].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Related: 5+ Attractive Prospects Cover Letter Samples

Speculative Cover Letter Template

I am writing to express my interest in joining your company. Based on what I know and have heard, I believe that your company is an excellent place to work, and I would be proud to be a part of it.

I am enclosing my resume for your review and would appreciate any opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. I can be reached at ___________. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: 9+ Best Mechanic Cover Letter Samples & Templates

Speculative CV Cover Letter

The writing in regards to any upcoming opportunities that may be available your organisation. It keen to utilise my skills and experience in a new role and would welcome the chance to discuss my suitability for any positions that may arise.

Have attached my CV for your perusal and would be available for interview at a time convenient to you. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours Sincerely,

Related: Executive Assistant Cover Letter: 05 Samples & Examples

Speculative Cover Letter Sample

To Whom Is My Concern, writing in regards to any possible job openings that might be available your company. I am a recent graduate of ___________ and I am very interested in working in the ___________ field. I have attached my resume for your review and I would appreciate any opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: 7+ Professional Event Planner Cover Letter Samples

Speculative Cover Letter To Recruitment Agency

The writing to you in order to inquire about any job openings that might be available or will be available in the near future. It a recent graduate of ___________ and I have extremely interest in working in the field of ___________. I have enclosed my resume for your review and I would greatly appreciate if you could keep me in mind for any suitable positions. I am eager to start my career and I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that would make me a valuable asset to your company.

Related: Generic Cover Letter: 09 Samples & Examples

5 Things To Include In a Speculative Cover Letter

When applying for a job, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is to write a speculative cover letter. A speculative cover letter is a letter that you send to an employer in the hope of being considered for a role, even if there isn’t a specific job advertised. Here are five things to include in a speculative cover letter:

• Start by doing your research. Find out as much as you can about the company and what they do. This will help you to customise your letter and show that you’re genuinely interested in working for them.
• In the opening paragraph, explain who you are and why you’re writing. Be sure to mention any shared connections or common interests.
• The next paragraph should detail your skills and experience, and how they could benefit the company. Again, be specific and try to evidence your claims with examples.
• In the final paragraph, thank the employer for their time and say how you can be contacted if they’re interested in learning more about you. You could also include a link to your online portfolio or CV at this point.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your speculative cover letter makes a positive impression on potential employers and increases your chances of securing an interview. Good luck!

Related: What is Cover Letter? Complete Guide To Get any Job.

I hope you found helpful this blog post on speculative cover letters. It can be a great way to introduce yourself to a company and land an interview. If you’re feeling inspired, be sure to check out our other blog posts for more tips on job searching, writing resumes, and interviewing. And as always, good luck!

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