How to Write a Speculative Cover Letter to Establish Authority?

This article explains what is a speculative cover letter and writing a speculative cover letter step by step with example. In short, we will be addressing the topic - How to write a motivation letter for spontaneous application? We will begin with the elementary definition of the same. Here we go.

What are speculative cover letters?

A speculative cover letter is divergent in comparison with a standard cover letter. The term speculative means unproven ideas or chances. Now in terms of job vacancies in broad or a specific job if job seekers are prying for a certain role then it is a speculative cover letter.

In other words, a speculative cover letter is sent to catechize employment opportunities that are unadvertised by companies. In short, unsolicited letter for unadvertised job opportunities. Now that we know what is a speculative cover letter, the question arises who needs one? Let's discuss it.

Who needs speculative cover letters?

First, there's a large volume of job applicants who need an effective speculative cover letter. Second, they will catechize about a vacant positions and then apply for the same. Surprisingly, thousands of vacant position are filled using speculative job applications every year.

It's a gold mine that you may not know about. But who needs it in the first place?

Applicants who are looking for a job will make more than one speculative applications. They will have to hunt in a company and draft a speculative cover letter accordingly.

Those who are planning to make a major move in their careers under a compulsion to write a speculative cover letter instead of a standard cover letter. Moving from one industry to the other may claim research since the applicant is unaware of the vacancy.

Hence, these are the two types of job seekers that would demand a speculative cover letter.

Why you should send a speculative cover letter?

Not everyone is compelled to write a speculative cover letter for job opportunities. If you are sure that an XYZ company has job vacancies out of which a particular one suits your skills and experience then writing a speculative cover letter is the best move. Under those circumstances, a speculative application must be practiced rather than a normal cover letter.

Here are some positive points about sending a speculative application cover letter to the employer.

• Sending a speculative cover letter will help you find unadvertised job opportunities.
• The future employer will benefit largely since the cost of hiring is minimized.
• There won't be competitors competing for a speculative job advert.
• Your chances of selection will increase dramatically due to a speculative job application.
• You may get hired at the earliest convenience with a lucrative pay scale in a specific company.

What is a good speculative cover letter example?

The following is a speculative cover letter example can be used as a speculative cover letter template simultaneously. Replace the content, save the file, and send it to an employer. That's it.

How to write a speculative cover letter?

Writing a speculative cover letter is similar to taking the risk of inquiring about a job position merely based on primary research or word-of-mouth job advert. In short, there's no concrete evidence that your proposed job description is available vacant and you would be selected.

To fix this problem we have an excellent resource, a writing guide to assist you in drafting a speculative cover letter. Refer below.

Header Details

There are a few more ways to describe the applicant and the addressee's details other than the below-mentioned one. However, keeping both of them visually separate is the first condition. The hiring manager or potential employers must be able to distinguish them easily. In the speculative cover letter example above we have located the details at separate ends.

Nonetheless, if you keep them at the left similar to the one mentioned below it is still the right format. The problem is adding unnecessary details that could annoy hiring managers and even a specific employer. Therefore, avoid doing the same when you write a speculative cover letter for yourself.

Right

Gerald M. Turner
Business Development Officer
1763 Wetzel Lane
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
+1 231-309-3861
geraldturner@gmail.com
linkedin.com/gerald-turner

18th September
Willis S. Smith
HOD Bowling Court
1840 Boundary Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32044

Wrong

Gerald M. Turner
Business Development Officer
1763 Wetzel Lane
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
+1 231-309-3861
geraldturner@gmail.com
linkedin.com/gerald-turner
10+ Work experience
Birthday: October 9, 1982
Age: 41 years old
Tropical zodiac: Libra
Height: 5'8" (173 centimeters)
Weight: 233.0 pounds (105.9 kilograms)
Blood type: B+
18th September
Willis S. Smith
HOD Bowling Court
1840 Boundary Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32044

Opening Paragraph

An opening paragraph is just what an employer would focus on since it acts like an opening statement. Therefore it must be engaging and aligned with the job descriptions of an unadvertised position. Try to collect details about the employer in a few ways including online sources like website and official social media handles.

This is of utmost importance while writing a speculative cover letter because by doing this you are formally introducing yourself, your professional expertise, and an example of how you would be helpful to the employer.

Right

I am an experienced business development officer with a master's in business management ready to take on a challenging position similar to my employment history in a fast-paced business world. The business ethics, mission, and vision of your organization are unmatched in the corporate world and I have been personally admiring them for a long time. I remember your speech at the graduation day which has been a great source of motivation for me since it has given me a purpose and a sense of fulfillment at work. I look forward to leveraging my technical competency to help your organization expand to new horizons. The motive behind compiling this letter is to investigate current vacancies if any that suit my professional skills and experience.

Wrong

I am an experienced business development officer with good manners. I have a decision-maker. You can refer to my LinkedIn page attached with the speculative job application. My compelling achievements include my technical competency to help to new horizons shortly. If there's a specific position suitable to my skills and experience then application.

Second Paragraph

Describe an example of your past and current experience to potential employers where you excelled in a situation and delivered the desired result. Highlight the names, and addresses, in the speculative cover letter to draw attention.

Right

I have worked at the company Camping Sites in Michigan at their Grand Rapids location as a business development officer for more than four years exceeding sales targets. At Camping Sites I was designated as a trainer for 18 months to train newly recruited business development officers and this particular job duty served as a medium of learning new skills. The additional responsibility that was equivalent to a hiring manager added some of the most qualified candidates. I want to convey that I was privileged to be a part of this recruitment drive. I am aware of the fact that your organization has recently expanded its research and operations in international locations and I would be a perfect fit for a dual role because of my bilingual language skills. I am proficient in communicating in more than four languages.

Wrong

I have business development officer for more than four years exceeding sales targets. I was a trainer to train newly recruited officers. It medium for learning new things. Hiring manager was a good experience. Kindly refer to my LinkedIn profile to explore my skills. You across the company name, best person, employer, current employees, and constructive feedback.

Closing Paragraph

The closing paragraph is the final statement that is different in comparison to the opening paragraph. Here mention the sole purpose of writing a speculative cover letter and back it up with a suitable example. Do not plead time and again across the entire letter because that would sound like a desperate attempt. Hence, skip doing it in the first place.

Right

I would request you to consider my interest regarding employment in your company. Additionally, I am positive about getting an opportunity to work with a highly skilled and experienced team. By doing this I will be able to enrich my knowledge related to business development that would eventually help the company grow. Not only this but the productive work environment in your organization will push me to contribute on a large scale and provide efficient customer satisfaction to the clients. I have mentioned my contact details above and also enclosed an updated copy of my resume. I am anticipating a positive reply from your level. You can either call me in person or drop me an email.

Wrong

To inform me of the company culture, the HR department, the specific person, and the key takeaways involved in the job. I have mentioned my contact details above updated copy of my resume. Positive reply from your level. You can either call me in person or drop me an email.

Professional Sign Off

A sign-off could be a computer-generated or a handwritten signature in a speculative job application. However, you can always mention yours faithfully followed by the named person. Use the template by replacing the content.

The anatomy of a speculative cover letter

The word anatomy means the speculative cover letter template using which you can create the same for yourself. Hence, without an ado let's go through the template below.

Expert-tips to write a speculative cover

• Write power words and key phrases in the letter to draw attention.
• Refer to a speculative cover letter opening before sending the letter.
• Mention a full-fledged address or just the name of the location.
• If available, describe the address of the employer or the recruiter.
• Writing a speculative cover letter in the present tense.
• Describe example of compelling achievements in near future.

Speculative cover FAQs

How long a speculative cover letter should be?

Cover letters are different compared to speculative job letters although the purpose is the same. A speculative cover letter must be limited to a single page and no more than the same.

How does a cover letter differ from a speculative cover letter?

A cover letter is written keeping in mind a specific job description that is vacant and at the same time advertised by the employer. On the contrary, a speculative cover letter is penned expecting a vacant position based on unreliable sources.