Barcelona Activa | Ajuntament de Barcelona

Unsolicited applications, you choose!

Most job offers are not advertised because organisations don’t see the need to take on new staff or even carry on with extra effort from their current workforce. Take the initiative and make an unsolicited application.

  • 1The starting point

    What job are you looking for?

    Define your professional goals: the choice of companies and job offers will be more suited to your interests and your profile.

    In order to define your goals properly, think about:

    • What is your character like? What interests and motivates you?
    • What are your skills? What is it that you do well? What can you contribute?
    • Where would you like to work? What work would you like to do?
  • 2Investigate your sector

    Find out about the organisations you’d like to work in

    With unsolicited applications, you are the one who chooses which companies best suit your professional profile.

    Ask yourself:

    • Which are the most representative companies or organisations in your sector?
    • What do they look for in their candidates?
    • Do you follow the key people in your sector on professional social networks?
    • Do you keep abreast of innovations in the sector? Do you attend seminars, fairs and conferences?
  • 3Presentation tools

    Is a CV and an introductory letter sufficient?

    Present yourself in a unique and personal way, with an attractive pitch.

    We recommend:

    • Preparing a creative, clear and concise CV and letter of introduction.
    • Updating your profiles on professional social networks.
    • Giving out your business cards at seminars and fairs.
    • Making yourself visible online: video-curriculum, blog, etc.
  • 4Choose the companies

    Make a list of companies

    Filter the choice of companies based on your values, interests and needs.

    Answer honestly:

    • Do you prefer family businesses, SMEs or large companies? Or would you rather work for public organisations?
    • Would you prefer to work in local or international teams?
    • Would you be able to relocate or do you want to work locally?
    • Have you searched social networks to identify the key people in each company?
  • 5Customise the Communication

    Each unsolicited application is unique

    Adapt it before sending it out, and don’t forget that you need to communicate with care. There is a person on the other side.

    We recommend:

    • Researching the values and objectives of each organisation through its website and on social networks.
    • Demonstrating your knowledge of the company by means of the introductory letter and stating what you value about the company and what you can contribute.
    • Starting with some initial proposals and evaluating the reaction before continuing. Keep in mind that unsolicited applications are a gradual process.
  • 6Track the process

    A kind of logbook

    Record your activity: it will help to give you an overall view of the process and what you have achieved.

    It is worth:

    • Creating a tracking system that includes where, when, to whom you sent the CV and the letter, etc.
    • Making contact in person at any event you attend: it can strengthen your candidacy.
    • Following companies on social networks.
    • Showing initiative and patience. You must be tenacious, but not insistent!
    • Is the process not going well? Thank them and contact them again after a while.