How To Ask For A Job (With Examples)

Asking for a job may seem like it’s too good to be true, but believe it or not, simply asking an employer for a job is an option. And when done correctly, can lead you to interviews and offers from the company of your dreams.

Whether you’re asking for your dream job or are just starting out in a field, knowing how to ask for a job can be beneficial. In this article, we’ll go over how to ask for a job, provide examples of how to ask for a job, as well as some tips to keep in mind.

Key Takeaways:

• When asking for a job, you need to figure out who you are talking to, use an elevator pitch, and be a confident communicator.

• Asking about job opportunities is a great option for job seekers who have the skills, experience, and social capital to sell themselves to companies that they would specifically like to work for.

• It’s important to be strategic and tactful in how you ask for a job so you don’t end up looking like a helpless, desperate goon.

How to Ask For a Job

When asking someone for a job opportunity, you need to first figure out who to talk to and then schedule an informational interview with them. Below is a more detailed list of how to ask for a job vacancy.

1. Figure out who to talk to. The first step to asking for a job without saying “Can I get a job?” is to figure out who to talk to.

   You’re going to want to direct your questions to the person who would be your potential director or manager, so take to the company’s website or LinkedIn to do some digging and figure out just who that person is.

   Try to avoid directing your networking efforts to employees at your level — they might feel threatened by your go-getter attitude and commitment to working for their company. Stick to talking to people who can either hire you or have connections to people who can hire you. You don’t want anyone sabotaging your job search.

2. Schedule an informational interview. An informational interview is a powerful secret weapon. Informational interviews act as a great way to network with potential employers and learn more about their company and their industry.

   The only problem with informational interviews is that they aren’t advertised anywhere and require effort on your end to make them happen.

   Try to schedule meetings with employers who can give you unbiased career-specific advice. This could range from people who have had long careers in your industry of interest or someone who works in a different field but has connections to people in your chosen industry.

   Even if the people you meet with aren’t currently hiring or can’t help to meet your immediate goals, it helps just to get your foot in the door.

3. Ask for a job in an email. If you don’t have a connection to someone who can introduce you to a potential employer, email is a great way to passively ask for a job.

   The most important thing to remember about this email is that it needs to be a sales pitch. Sell your candidacy to the reader and make them want to hire you. Find the employer for the company you want to work for, and let them know that you’re interested in learning more about their career history, growth, and unique insights.

   And you’re done! Easy as pie.

4. Use an elevator pitch. Once you’ve landed that valuable informational interview, it’s time to perfect that elevator pitch. You can expect your new contact to ask for you to tell them about yourself, so your response should quickly get across who you are and why you’re worth keeping in touch with.

   Your elevator pitch is a 30-second speech that summarizes who you are, what you do, and why you’d be a great fit for a position. It gives you the chance to introduce yourself and also ease any looming doubts in the mind of the person you’re meeting with.

   For example, if your resume says you have a history in public relations, but you’re meeting with the CEO of a renewable energy company, you can use your elevator pitch to explain why you’re looking to make the transition between industries.

5. Ask for a job in person. The most important part of asking for a job is how you ask for it.

   When asking about job opportunities in person, use passive questions that hint at your goal of landing a job. You want to frame your question in a way that makes you appear to be resourceful and curious, rather than needy and annoying.

   Concoct some strategic questions that can give you insights into these companies and, potentially, lead to offers for an interview or a job. Make sure to be clear that your contact’s company will benefit from helping you.

How to ask someone for a job opportunity example

1. How to ask for a job in email example

   An email to a potential employer asking about available jobs may look something like this:

   Dear John Stamos,

   For the past five years, I have followed your career and the success of your company through news events, interviews, and research. I admire your dedication to [name of industry] and your understanding of [an aspect of their industry] is very impressive.

   I have had the privilege of sharpening my skills and gaining experience in [name of industry] by studying [major] at [name of school] and working for [previous companies]. In my current position, I am [name of current position and] at [current company].

   I would appreciate having the opportunity to meet with you and gain insight into your suggestions as to where my strengths and experience would benefit [name of company] and to learn about possible job openings with your company.

   I look forward to meeting you.

   Best regards,

   Danny Tanner

2. How to ask for a job in person

   Using one of the following examples is a great way to create opportunities for yourself without having to say “Can I have a job please?”

   • “Do you have any suggestions for how I can stand out as a candidate?”

   • “I’d really love to work on a team like yours”

   • “I heard XYZ Company is looking to work on [problem], what’s your opinion on [tool/approach]?”

   • “Do you have any suggestions for other companies that I should look into?”

   • “I love what your company is doing when it comes to [name of an area that interests you], I’d be so excited to work on a team like that”

3. How to ask for a job over the phone example

   Here is an example of how to ask for a job over the phone or over voicemail:

   “Good morning, Mr. Johnson, my name is Eva Tomlinson and I recently came across the job opening for a marketing manager at your company and I am interested in the position. I have a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and have six years of experience in the field. I’ll be sure to follow up with an email and any additional materials you may need. Have a wonderful day!”

If you’re successful, your contact will take this question as an offer to send your resume to a hiring manager and potentially schedule an interview, or they may offer to connect you with friends who work in your industry or field of interest.

When to ask for a job

Since timing is everything when it comes to asking for a job directly, it should be done at a networking event, when the company is actively hiring, or after a job interview. Here are a few good moments to ask for a job:

• At a networking event. Many of these types of events are designed for job-seekers and employers seeking new talent. They’re a natural place to practice your elevator pitch and learn more about job opportunities. Don’t be so desperate as to actually ask for a job during a casual meeting with a first-time acquaintance — build up to it.

  Talk about why you’re interested in the company, and what experience you have that could be valuable for any roles they have available, and enjoy some pleasant small talk (being hirable is about more than just qualifications, after all).

  Once you’ve learned more, you can schedule a more in-depth meeting during the networking event or afterward.

• After a networking event. If you’ve met some interesting recruiters and/or hiring managers at a career fair, it’s time to follow up. We suggest sending an email, but a phone call can work if you made a particularly strong connection with someone. If you definitely want a position with the company, you can straight-up ask for a job.

  A more conservative approach would be to ask for a formal interview.

• The company is actively hiring. If you see loads of job postings from your dream company, you can try to skip the queue and get in direct contact with someone on the hiring committee. This is risky, as you might come across as presumptuous. However, if you have the talent to back it up, it can be an effective way to land a job.

• After a job interview. Okay, this isn’t really what this article is about, but asking for a job right after an interview can be a powerful strategy.

  If you felt like your interview went really well and you’d like to cut to the chase, you can ask something like, “I’m definitely interested in the position; is there anything preventing you from extending me a job offer now?”

  Don’t be put off if you don’t get a definite response right that moment; the hiring process has a lot of moving parts, and it might be tough for a hiring manager or recruiter to guarantee you an offer right away.

Tips on asking for a job

When asking for a job in person, be sure you dress the part and you are a confident communicator. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind when asking someone for a job:

• Dress the part. If you’re asking for a job in person, you should put some effort into your appearance. That doesn’t necessarily mean going over-the-top formal. It just means putting together a clean, professional look. Business casual attire is usually a good choice. Tidy your hair, wear clean, unwrinkled clothes, and keep your nails clean.

• Be a confident communicator. You should come off as calm, cool, and collected throughout your interactions with people who might be able to get you a job. Do everything in your power to make your conversational partner comfortable and relaxed.

  Try not to use too many “uhms” or “likes” in your speech. If you’re sending an email, check for typos and grammar errors. You can even have a second set of eyes look it over to make sure your tone is on point.

• Slow and steady. If you’re in the business of asking for jobs rather than sending online applications, the chances are that you’re not in a rush. You’re looking for quality, not speed.

  Building, maintaining, and working your network requires finesse just as much as it requires tenacity. Let people know you’re enthusiastic and hopeful, but don’t come off as desperate and needy.

  Don’t get down on yourself if you run into a dead-end (or a few). Always express gratitude toward the people who spend time talking to you.

How to ask for a job FAQ

1. Can you ask a company for a job?

   Yes, you can ask a company for a job, but be sure to ask the hiring manager. There is no rule against asking a company for a job. The worst they can say is that they are not hiring. Be sure to be polite when asking.

2. Can you be too eager for a job?

   Yes, you can be too eager for a job. When a candidate is too eager for the job, it can sometimes be a red flag for hiring managers and they can pass on them. Avoid talking too much in the interview and avoid being too casual. Talking too much can turn an interview south fast. Make sure you find the balance between being enthusiastic and passionate about the job without being too eager.

   You should also avoid being too casual because it can seem like you are not interested in the position. Again, find the balance between being enthusiastic and casual.

3. What are the signs that a company doesn’t want to hire you?

   Some signs that a company doesn’t want to hire you include the interview being cut short and the interviewer not sharing details of the job. An interview being cut short might mean that the interviewer doesn’t have any interest in hiring and doesn’t see a need to continue with the interview.

   Another big sign that you might not get the job is not getting more details about the job. Often, a hiring manager will let the candidate know of some of the daily responsibilities for the position during the interview.

4. Should you ask for a job in person?

   Asking for a job in person can be beneficial and can allow you to make a positive first impression. When you ask in person, you are able to dress the part and give the hiring manager your resume. You are also able to ask any questions that may not be able to be asked over email or over the phone. Asking in person will also allow them to put a face to the name and will have a reference when they review applications.

Final thoughts

Whoever came up with the saying “Finding a job is a full-time job,” really wasn’t kidding. Finding a job or a company you’re passionate about takes more effort than scrolling through Craigslist ads on your phone.

To get the job of your dreams, sometimes you have to get out there, make connections, and ask for it.

Go into your networking ventures with a clear idea of what you want to get out of your conversations with potential employers, whether it’s a job interview with a specific company or just more connections with people in your industry. Having clear expectations will help you keep your eye on the prize.

Now that you know what to do, it’s time for you to get out there and build connections with people who can help you get the job you really want — without having to sound desperate.

References

1. USA.gov – Find a Job

Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.