Getting started with unsolicited job search

Unsolicited job search is a particularly effective method. According to Ballisager’s Candidate Analysis from 2019 as many as 51% of recent employees have been hired without an official job listing.

1. Different approaches to unsolicited job searches

There are many approaches when it comes to unsolicited contact. Choose your method from what matches you and your industry, and adjust your methods based on your results.

2. Know your skills

When contacting companies unsolicited, you need to be sharp on your skills and how to create value in the companies. It is a good idea to be able to describe how you want to solve the tasks for the companies you contact.

Take the first step to a competence-clarification e.g. through a course at your unemployment insurance fund (A-kasse). A full clarification of competence takes time, but it is time well spent.

3. Map your market

You must map out which companies are relevant for you to contact. You also need to know what types of tasks, challenges, and topics are important in the job market you are looking for. Also, find out who is relevant to know in your industry. Then you know who to contact. Here you can use old job ads from Jobindex to find contacts.

4. The first contact

Many companies prefer to be contacted in writing, e.g. through an email or on LinkedIn. Be sure to make it short and customize your language for the recipient and industry.

5. Get ready for the coffee meeting

When the coffee meeting is in place, it's time for preparation and research.

Spend some time researching the company and the contact person in detail, so you have in depth knowledge, to prepare both relevant questions and a skill-pitch.

6. Prepare short skill-pitch

In this type of pitch, you target your skills in relation to the tasks you want to solve.  By doing so, you show what makes you unique.

In the skill-pitch, you show your knowledge of the company and how to create value for them.

It is a good idea to have several small pitches prepared for the coffee meeting if it should become relevant.

7. During the coffee meeting

It is a good idea to attend the coffee meeting with the aim of getting inspired and gaining more knowledge.

Avoid the "give me a job" mentality and instead let the development of the coffee meeting lead the way forward, especially if there are no specific openings during the meeting.

For example, ask the person "Who in your network would you recommend me to contact...”.

This expands your professional network and uncovers more possibilities.

8. Keep up your drive and motivation

As a job seeker, you are at risk for many rejections. You can expect to contact at least 3-4 companies to get a yes to a dialogue or a coffee meeting.

Try to watch Ted Talk's video on Rejection Therapy for new angles on how to approach rejections.

Keep in mind that everything you do, during the unsolicited contact strengthens your overall job search. Your CV will get sharper, your knowledge of the labour market will get better and your network will expand.