We get it. There's a specific company or role that really appeals to you but you can't find any information on it?

It can be very difficult to approach companies and you are faced with a high likelihood of rejection or lack of response altogether. However, if there is a company that you really like the look of, there is no harm in enquiring. This article will show you how to do so to give you the best potential of response.

Who should I contact?

You can take two routes here:

Contacting HR & Recruitment

The aim when contacting HR is to gain a better idea of the company's placement policy. They should be able to give some insight into whether any roles will be opening soon and where to find them. You may also be able to register your interest through the HR team, so that you will be notified if one role opens.

You should be able to find contact information on the company website. If not, try LinkedIn.

Contacting the department of interest

Contacting the specific department or team that you want to work with is a much more targeted approach and will show that you know what you are looking for. However, we would recommend doing this once you have spoken to HR & Recruitment so that you have a better understanding of the company's plans.

Even if HR said that they do not plan to offer any placement roles for the year, you can still go ahead and contact the department using this information. Ask if there would be any opportunity to have a conversation, either over video call or in person, so that you can express your interest in working for the team and the value that you could provide.

Often, this interest will be graciously received by the department and you may have some luck.

You should be able to find contact information on the company website. If not, try LinkedIn.

How should I contact them?

Calling directly

This is the approach we recommend. It takes some real confidence to call a company up directly and express your interest, but it is the most impressive method and is of course, most likely to get you a response.

Key information

Have a pen and paper ready when you call. You're going to want to write down as much as possible from the conversation. Some key information to get includes:

• Whoever answered the phones name.
• An email address that you can contact once the call is over.
• What the company will do next on their side and in what time frame they will do it.
• Who would be best to contact after your call regarding the potential for a placement opportunity.

Be nice

Ask the person on the other end how they are and how their day is going. Get to the point but be civil. Remember you are painting a picture of yourself with every word and every tone.

Emailing

Use as a secondary method if you can't find a number or didn't get the information you wanted from calling.

Key points:

• Get to the point.
• Address the email to one person.
• Attach your CV, Cover Letter and any other accompanying resources in the initial email. Don't make them ask for it.

Get to the point

Remember, the staff that you are going to be contacting will be receiving hundreds of emails per day. You need to get to the point and avoid any wish washy chit chat. Say that you hope they're well but move onto the point immediately.

They don't need your life story. You need to tell them exactly what kind of role you would be interested in and ask some direct questions. Even bullet point the questions if you want to ensure they're all answered.

Ask whether the company is going advertising any placement opportunities this year. Say that if they are, you would like to register your interest. If they are not, you would love to express your interest to the specific team you are interested in about the potential for creating an opportunity.

Address the email to one person

This is really important. If you address your email to "[company] HR team" you're unlikely to receive a response. It isn't any specific person's responsibility to respond.

Find one key member of the HR team either through the company website or through LinkedIn and address it directly to them, either through their professional email or through the team email.

Attach your documents

Attaching your documents will show that you are prepared and will give you a chance to immediately show why they should want you on board.

You don't want them coming back to you just to ask for your CV, when you very easily could have attached a copy.

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