How to Apply when there is No Opening: 7 Sentence Cover Letter, by Andrew LaCivita on YouTube. 7 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a company you want to work for, even if it has no job posting. Find the name of the hiring manager or the head of the department you want to join, and write to that person rather than a generic inbox.
Sentence one: say why you are writing. Name the role or area you want to work in and state plainly that you are reaching out about opportunities there.
Sentence two: give your reason for wanting to work for them. Mention something specific about the company, its products, market or reputation that fits your own goals.
Sentence three: say what you offer and why you are a good fit. Name two or three concrete skills or experiences that match what the company needs.
Sentence four: add one home run accomplishment. Choose your strongest result, give the number or outcome, and say briefly how you got there.
Sentence five: point them to more evidence. Link your LinkedIn profile, portfolio or resume and say which one or two things are worth a look.
Sentence six: welcome the chance to speak with them. Offer to talk at a time that suits their schedule.
Sentence seven: thank them for their consideration. Sign off with your name, phone number and email address, then proofread the whole letter before sending.
Tips and common mistakes
Send to a named person, since letters sent to a general company inbox often go unread.
Keep it to seven sentences. Do not add extra paragraphs, because the short length is what gets it read.
Spend a few minutes on the company website so sentence two mentions something real, not generic praise.
Change the company details for every letter. The same text sent to many employers reads as a mass mailing.
Questions
Is it worth writing to a company with no job posted?
Yes. Companies keep looking for strong people even between postings, and far fewer applicants approach them without an advertised role. That means less competition for you.
Who should I address the letter to?
A named person, ideally the hiring manager or the head of the team you want to join. Check the company website, LinkedIn or a quick phone call to the front desk to find the right name.
Can I send this as an email instead of a letter?
Yes. Use a clear subject line such as the role you want plus your name, and paste the seven sentences into the body of the email with your contact details at the end.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
