Employment: How do I cold visit employer?

Question

How should I inquire about employment at a large company by doing a cold calling visit? (A physical visit) What should I say to the receptionist so that she would let me talk to a hiring manager? Or who should I ask for? I’m worried that they would simply tell me to go home and check the openings online. I heard that hiring managers a lot of times don’t look at resumes sent through online job portals, and the only way for hire is to have a contact in the company. I don’t know anyone, so the point of my cold visit to talk to people there. They would all be busy, so how can I get to talk to them? And what should I discuss with them? Job duties descriptions are sometimes abstract, without appearing incompetent, how do I ask about the exact functions? If I don’t know which position to apply for, how can I discuss my possibilities there? What time and day of wk would give me higher chance of success in doing the cold visit? I would like to apply for a salaried position in management. Thx.

Answer 1

Suggestion, based on cold calling experience in wholesale jewelry business.

Spend a little time learning about the company online (shouldn't take long if you locate their website).

Ask the receptionist if there are any job openings, or is there anyone you could ask. Don't push to talk to anyone in particular, your primary goal should be to make a contact.

Of course, if you do find someone willing to talk to you ask how you could best learn when a job does open.

Do your best to match your skills & interests with what the company does, so you can conversationally ask about specific job areas.

Large corporations are not a likely target, you probably wouldn't get past contracted security people. Regional corporations make more sense, where you can go to the headquarters building to inquire.

Answer 2

I would view a cold visit to me at work as very unprofessional and wouldn't think of considering someone who did that for employment. If it's a professional environment, try to get to know someone who works there. If that fails, you might call to try to set up an appointment to meet with someone there--position it as wanting to learn more about the company, etc. You likely wouldn't speak with the hiring manager, but you can get to know someone there and get a sense of what the place is like. If all that fails, walk in a talk to the receptionist, but I would only suggest this as a last ditch effort.

Answer 3

Normally a hiring manager isn't going to talk to you if you just walk in, especially for the type of job you're looking for - at a mall, or fast food restaurant, they might if they aren't busy.

You'd probably be given an application and asked to fill it out, either there or by taking it home and then returning it.

Do you already have management experience? If not, you'll probably have to start at a different level and work into management anyway.

Answer 4

Honestly, as a hiring manager myself, cold calling is not a good idea. It is best to see if the company is hiring through local papers and on-line sites. If not, submit your resume and cover letter to the company via internet, mail or fax machine. We do not see people who just come in to our offices and request a meeting. Please understand that we get vendor cold calls, temp. agencies "stopping by to tell you about their services" and all sorts of people calling on the telephone as well. It just isn't feasible to do it all. Perhaps this may be something that you could do at a smaller company with less traffic going through their doors?