How to apply for a job

[Epiphany]

Sounds simple right? Well considering I've been at the same place since college I'd like some opinions on cold calling for a job. I found out a new firm moved into our area and they are still using designers in their other offices. No job opening is listed, but I'd like to meet them and give them my resume and portfolio and let them know I'm interested if they want someone local.

Couple of options: Go to office without calling and just show up and introduce myself with resume and portfolio in hand.

Turn in resume and portfolio to online link on website to human resources.

Email/or call local office with my info

I'm leaning towards a combination of 1 and 2. Turn in stuff to online link, but also stop by in person. Thoughts?

[shanendoah]

I would actually call the local office and see if they have an HR department locally, or find out who is doing the hiring for the local area. Then contact HR/that person, and ask to set up an informational meeting.
You bring your resume and portfolio to the informational meeting

[Epiphany]

May 8, 2012 13:18:47 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

I would actually call the local office and see if they have an HR department locally, or find out who is doing the hiring for the local area. Then contact HR/that person, and ask to set up an informational meeting.
You bring your resume and portfolio to the informational meeting

There is no HR department in the local office. It's just a small office, maybe just the architect and one or two other people. The "submit your resume here" email on their website handles all their offices.

eta: the news article says they have three architects and a business development manager in the new office. I think I'll start with the business development manager

[shanendoah]

So you find the number for their HR department on the website- the resumes have to go somewhere, and someone has to be handling hiring for the site, so that's who you need to talk to.
If it's a satellite office with almost no one in it, no one you talk to there is going to be able to help you if you just show up.
If you just submit a resume for a job they aren't hiring for, the likelihood that you talk to anyone is low.
You need a name of a person to talk to. Call their corporate HR. Say that you noticed they were opening up a new office in your location and that you know they aren't hiring for your particular skill set at this time but that you would like to set up an informational meeting.

[happyhoix]

We get a lot of cold calls and that doesn't get anyone a meeting. Everyone has to get funneled through our on-line web application before they can get a foot in the door.

However, if someone I know calls me about a particuilar job posting on the web site, I will contact HR and ask them to keep an eye out for that particular resume and pull it to the top of the stack. Do you think any of your professional contacts might know one of the 3 engineers who work at this facility? Could they put in a good word for you?

[Epiphany]

Well I called the guy yesterday and he seemed fairly interested because of my architecture experience. He told me to send him my resume and online portfolio and he'd send it on to HR. I think the call went well and hopefully like you said, him sending the resume will have more clout than just filing online. All my contacts are interior designers and industry partners, not architects so I don't really know anyone who knows them or works for them.

In our industry it seems like there are a lot of hidden jobs and stuff is rarely posted. Hopefully this will go somewhere, if not now, maybe in a few months. I cannot believe how incredibly nervous I was over this. I was disaster with crazy beating heart and headache. I handle work stress just fine, but new stuff out of my comfort zone...yikes

[alabamagal]

Sounds like you did the right thing. The best way to find out about a lot of jobs is through networking. Make contacts with as many people in the industry as possible. Use LinkedIn or other networking site, if appropriate for your industry.

Follow up with this guy if you don't hear anything soon.