Don’t be afraid to reach out. Actually, there is a chance that you are the only one who is contacting the company. Therefore, you might be lucky that they will have more time to talk to you about your questions.
Speaking to them will probably be the decisive factor, deciding if your usolicited job search will pay off.
- It will help you find out whether your ideas are relevant to them.
- It might even show other areas in which you can help the company.
- It may also help you find out how they would like you to "apply" - maybe they would prefer a short e-mail instead of the traditional application?
Therefore, to avoid wasting your own time as well as the company's, we always recommend that you speak to the company before sending them an application.
What should I ask them?
Prepare some good, relevant questions in advance of the meeting or phone call, based on your research and interest in the company. This demonstrates your academic interest and motivation and that you have looked into the company you are contacting.
It is okay to call and ask about a potential job in the company, but do not pick up the phone if that is the only thing you are going to ask.
Whom should I call?
You should call the most relevant person. It might not be the CEO, if you have questions about the day-to-day business, and it might not be the HR department, if you have very technical questions.
Use LinkedIn and Jobindex to find out who might be the right person to call, based on their position, or because they have previously been listed as the contact person on a similar position job ad.