What is a speculative application?

A speculative application is an application initiated by a candidate who applies to a specific company or organization without a specific job advertisement being available. The person applies to a company proactively, submitting their application documents in the hope that a suitable position is available or will become available in the near future. Here are the most important pieces of information regarding a speculative application.

In contrast to a regular application for an advertised position, where candidates respond to a specific job posting, candidates in a speculative application determine the positions they aspire to and the companies they want to work for. Speculative applications can be a valuable tool for positioning oneself in the job market and opening up career opportunities that might otherwise be unknown.

Key information about speculative applications:

Compared to a traditional application, speculative applications require some additional considerations. A speculative application requires you to introduce yourself and explain your strengths and weaknesses, similar to a regular job interview. Additionally, you should present your resume and possibly prepare a self-presentation. It is crucial that your presentation addresses the following questions:

- Who are you?

- What skills do you bring?

- Why do you want to work for the company?

These questions may seem simple, but they are helpful in preparing for any potential questions that a recruiter may ask. It leaves a good impression when you appear prepared. It is also important to prepare some questions about the company or the daily work to demonstrate your interest, analytical skills, and communication abilities. Through well-prepared questions as an applicant, you show genuine interest in the specific position and demonstrate your motivation to work for the company.

Structure

When delivering a self-presentation with slides for a speculative application, it is important to quickly address the skills and strengths that are relevant to the specific position within the company. The argumentation should be as specific as possible without exaggeration. It is equally important to acknowledge your weaknesses. A few slides are sufficient. A logical order for such a presentation could look as follows:

1. Your Name

2. Educational background – only the most important milestones

3. Professional experience and internships

4. Strengths and weaknesses

5. Where and how do you see yourself in the company?

6. Hobbies and interests, highlighting relevant skills

7. Closing slide: Brief summary

By focusing on your relevant skills and experiences, you demonstrate your potential and show how you could contribute to the company. By being honest about your weaknesses, you showcase your self-reflection and openness to constructive criticism. A clear and concise presentation leaves a positive impression on the company and increases the likelihood of being shortlisted.

Sample for the cover letter

When writing a speculative application for a specific position, it is crucial to take sufficient time, as this can significantly increase your chances of getting the desired job. The cover letter is particularly important, as many larger companies are flooded with speculative applications, and you can only convince them with an error-free and meaningful cover letter.

Common mistakes

For a complete application, the resume and cover letter are essential. When we refer to a cover letter, we don't mean the short text in an email that refers to attachments such as the resume and work certificates. The cover letter contains the most important information to convincingly present personal suitability and motivation. In speculative applications, recruiters want to see how a candidate assesses themselves and presents their qualifications in the cover letter.

It is important to avoid errors such as spelling mistakes and incorrect company addresses. Cover letters should neither be too short nor too long, as it either suggests closed-mindedness or the inability to argue concisely.

Structure of the cover letter for speculative applications

For a successful speculative application, it is important to have a clear structure in the cover letter. The following elements should be included:

- Sender's address with personal contact details, but do not use phone numbers or email addresses from the current employer.

- Company's address and the specific contact person who is working in the company. Take the time to choose the correct titles and legal forms. Finding the right contact person for the specific position is important.

- A personal salutation to ensure that the recipient feels addressed. Usually, "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" (Dear Sir or Madam) is used, but some companies prefer a slightly more informal greeting such as "Guten Tag, Name" (Good day, Name) or "Hallo Name" (Hello, Name).

- A clearly formulated subject line that clearly indicates the specific position, for example, "Speculative Application for..."

- The actual cover letter, in which you introduce your profile and describe your soft skills, without using too many technical terms.

- A closing formula such as "Mit freundlichen Grüßen" (Kind regards).

By following this structure, you already have a good framework for successful speculative applications. Some points resemble the structure of a regular application.

Tips for speculative applications:

- Research: Gather information about the respective company to establish a connection with the company. This will help you stand out from other applicants. Find out who the appropriate contact person is for your application.

- Fit: Ensure that your application is tailored to the needs of the company and the industry. Address the specific requirements for the desired position.

- Confidence: Display confidence by presenting your achievements and skills. However, avoid being overly arrogant or boastful.

- Structure: Organize your cover letter in a clear and concise manner so that recruiters can quickly grasp your qualifications.

- Argumentation: Justify your application and explain why you are enthusiastic about the specific company and industry. Mention how you became aware of the company and use concrete examples.

- Soft Skills: Highlight your soft skills as they are often as important as your technical qualifications. Describe how you work in a team or how you handle challenges.

- Conclusion: End your cover letter with a clear and friendly closing statement, expressing your anticipation for an invitation to an interview.

- Review: Proofread your cover letter for spelling and grammar errors, as well as ensure that all documents are complete before sending it.

Speculative applications have both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

- Your speculative application receives maximum attention, demonstrating your strong interest in the potential employer. Since the company does not receive many applications, your speculative application will be given special consideration, giving you the opportunity to make a double impact as an applicant.

- There is no competition to contend with. Since the specific position you are applying for is not advertised, you do not have to compete with other applicants. It is highly likely that your speculative application may be the only one received by the company at that time.

- You have more freedom in the content of your application as you are not referring to a specific job advertisement. You can present your strengths and skills in your application materials as you see fit. After all, there is no job posting from which you can gather information about the required knowledge.

- You have the opportunity to apply for unadvertised positions. Especially leadership positions are often not publicly advertised but internally assigned. Through your speculative application, you have the opportunity to apply not only for the specific position but also for positions that are only internally announced, potentially securing a job that you would otherwise only reach through personal contacts.

Disadvantages:

- It requires additional research since you cannot refer to a specific job advertisement. The specific contact person, information about the company, and a connection to the company—all of these need to be researched. Therefore, you should allocate more time for your speculative application compared to a conventional application. This will allow you to thoroughly inform yourself about potential employers and present yourself as an ideal candidate.

- There is a risk of applying in vain if there are no available positions at the moment. However, there is still a possibility that if you made a good impression, the employer may retain your application materials until a suitable position opens up. This way, you remain in the pool of applicants and may have the chance to join your desired company at a later date.

- It is unclear which specific skills and qualifications are preferred by the company. Since you are not referring to a specific job advertisement, you cannot be certain about the requirements set by the employer.