With most retail and service jobs, you can simply walk in and request to speak to a manager. If you have a friend or acquaintance that works for the company, see if they could give you some advice or help set up a meeting between you and one of the higher ups.
The key is to be assertive, but not too forceful. Never make demands of an employer or come in with a sense of entitlement. Open with a statement like “I think I would be a very good fit for your company” or “I believe my ideas and ambition could be of real service to your operations. “[3] X Research source
Be explicit about the purpose of the email with a subject line like “Senior Editor Position. " Always be cordial, professional and prompt in your email correspondence. Hiring supervisors pay close attention to the way prospective employees communicate. [5] X Research source
Set up a meeting by calling or speaking to the employer in person ahead of time. Even if it’s not a formal interview, you should plan on showing up early and looking respectable. [6] X Research source Don’t assume that you’ll be guaranteed a job just because you know someone. You should treat the sit down with the same respect and consideration you would any other professional situation.
Don’t just recite what’s on your resume. Explain to the employer how those qualifications can be applied and adapted: “as you can see, my four years as a teacher have provided valuable experience in working closely with groups of all different ages. " If you don’t have any experience to speak of, focus on the aspects of your personality that you think would make you a good fit for the position.
Entice the employer with an idea on how to boost productivity, a writing sample or an example of a program you helped develop. This is often as simple as mentioning past accomplishments like “at my last job I helped overhaul the new employee training program,” or hinting at future ones like “I look forward to seeing how working in a more organized kitchen will help me improve my skills as a cook. " Providing a preview of the kind of work you do can help you showcase your practical abilities, allowing the company to feel confident in their decision to hire you.
Make it evident to the person you’re meeting with that you want a job with their company, not just any company. Avoid saying things like “I need a job” or “I heard you were hiring. ” You’ll make a much better impression if you appear to be actively pursuing the job you’re asking for. [9] X Research source
Bring up your relationship with your connection in a way that sounds organic. For instance, you could say “my friend Christina told me that she loved working with you” or “my uncle has always been a satisfied client of yours. ” Don’t rely on name dropping to get you hired. You should be able to secure the job on your own merits—having a friend or two in common just helps. [11] X Research source
Listen for the other person to start using plural language as well. This is a good sign that you’re winning them over.
Request feedback to get an idea of how you did, or what you could do differently next time. [14] X Research source For most employers, the fact that you’re already looking forward to what you can do next will be taken as a promising sign.
In addition to the obvious, be sure to wear deodorant, clean beneath your fingernails and keep facial hair shaved or trimmed. As the old saying goes, “dress for the job you want. ” If you look the part, potential employers will be better able to envision you in the position.
Do your best not to stutter, mumble or use a lot of filler noises like “um” and “ah. ” If you’re asking for a job via email, take care to use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. Proofread the message carefully before you send it. [17] X Research source
Confidence speaks volumes. Sometimes, what you lack in direct experience you can make up for in being self-assured. While determination is a good trait to have, you should learn to take no for an answer. Don’t be too discouraged if you don’t get the job—thank the person for their time, then redouble your efforts and make sure you’re prepared for the next opportunity that comes along. [19] X Research source
