Sunday, April 27, 2008

Edited questions from Career Tracks, Mary Ellen Slayter's online discussion about workplace issues.

Springfield: What are your thoughts on submitting a résumé to a company that doesn't have an opening posted? I'm moving in August. Luckily, there is a company in the area I'm moving to that does exactly what I specialize in. How should I approach this? Also, at what point should I begin my job search if I'm not planning to move for another five months?

Of course you can apply directly to this company. Few jobs are filled based on advertised positions. I would start making contacts at the new company now. Five months isn't long at all.

RE: Contacting company: So you can just send your résumé to HR even if there isn't a posted opening? I thought that would come across as a no-no, because you wouldn't be able to tailor a cover letter to anything specific, i.e. it would just be a blanket letter.

Yes, you absolutely can send your résumé without an advertised opening. Having an ad in hand makes it easier to tailor the cover letter, but it's not necessary. If your skill set is pretty specific, it should be clear who you are and what you can do for them. There's nothing "blanket" about that.

Washington, D.C.: I wanted to challenge the notion that when you're looking for another job, you shouldn't let people know. It might help you get promoted to let people know that you're taking the bar in another state, for instance. Worked for me.

Of course, they might also just sack you on the spot.