Speculative applications

When should I use this approach?

Try this with organisations that

don't have to advertise because they receive so many speculative applications
don't advertise because they don't recruit enough graduates to justify it
use recruitment agencies or word of mouth to fill vacancies
only employ graduates with relevant work experience (e.g. in the environmental sector)
are within a defined geographical area, if you are restricted in where you can work
you really, really want to work for.

Check out what the job you'd like actually entails. Use careers information, web searches, recruitment literature, job advertisements and job descriptions.

Analyse your skills, experience and personal work requirements to be sure they match what is required to do the job.

Find which organisations employ people in your sector of interest.

Use specialist trade directories which list organisations by sector (e.g. Benn’s Media Directory, The Advertiser’s Annual).
Contact professional bodies using the links from the Newspaper Society website.
Try general trade directories such as Kompass or Kelly’s Business Directory.
Find company profiles, and graduate employers on the Prospects website.
Use a regional employer directory or database produced by a local Chamber of Commerce or Regional Development Agency.
Try the Yellow Pages or YELL.COM for local employers.
Use graduate agencies and organisations for employment and vacancy information.

Focus on

what kind of positions they have that are of interest to you
what their requirements are in terms of qualifications, work experience and skills
why they interest you as a potential employer
who you should approach within the organisation.

Finally, you need to write a speculative letter to accompany your CV and send it to the employers you have decided to target.

If you don't hear from them, wait 7-10 days and then follow up with a telephone call. Ask if they have received your letter and CV, and ask to discuss its contents further.