Making Your Move: Approaching Employers

The Job Seeker Series | Part 2

Once you know why you want a particular job, the next question becomes practical and often intimidating:

How do you actually approach the employer?

In Part 1 of this series, we explored the importance of finding your why. That clarity matters here because how you approach an employer should be intentional, not accidental.

Before you reach out in any way, there is one non-negotiable step.

Step one: research

If you are serious about a role, you should know:

• What the organisation does

• Their values and mission

• Where they are based

• How the team is structured

And after all of that, you should still want the job, because it aligns with your why.

Approaching an employer without doing this groundwork is immediately obvious. It signals a lack of preparation and a lack of genuine interest.

Once you’ve done the research, there are several ways you can approach an employer. Each has its place.

Why standing out matters

To put this into perspective: when IKEA opened its first store in Auckland, around 15,000 people applied for 500 roles.

So the question becomes — how do you stand out in a crowded field? Hint: Recently, ZEIL posted on Linkedin that they had received a CV printed on a cake delivered to their offices…

Approach 1: The walk-in

Approaching a potential employer in person can be an effective strategy, particularly in industries like hospitality, retail, and trades.

It demonstrates:

• Initiative

• Confidence

• Genuine interest

You are no longer just a name on a screen.

Before you walk in, prepare:

• Know who you want to speak to (manager, HR, team leader)

• Know why you are there

• Know what you are asking for

A simple opening might be:

“Hi, my name is Ashleigh. I was hoping to speak with Sally*, the Head of HR,”or“I was wondering if the manager is available — I’d love to introduce myself.”

Much of this information can be found online. If not, asking politely is a perfectly appropriate starting point.

When you get the opportunity to speak, you may only have a short window. This is where your pitch matters. You want to offer clear threads that invite the conversation to continue:

• Your interest in the business

• Your relevant experience or skills

• Why you believe you could add value

This approach requires you to be clear and straightforward in your ask. If you don’t know what you want, the employer will feel that, and the conversation will end quickly.

Approach 2: The cold call

Cold calling can feel uncomfortable, but it can also be effective.

This involves ringing the organisation and asking to speak with the person responsible for hiring; HR, a manager, or the relevant department head.

Preparation is everything:

• Have a short script ready

• Practise saying it out loud before you ring

• Hear your voice in the space

• Have pen and paper nearby

AI can be a useful tool here, not to replace your voice, but to help structure what you want to say so you can practise confidently.

The goal of a cold call is rarely to secure the job on the spot. It’s to make a connection, gather information, and be remembered.

Approach 3: Think outside the box

Sometimes standing out means doing something unexpected.

As mentioned above, last year, an applicant delivered their CV to the Zeil NZ offices printed on a cake.

It worked. Not because everyone should do that, but because it matched the organisation, the culture, and the applicant’s willingness to take a risk.

This approach always comes back to your why:

• How much do you want this role?

• How well do you understand the organisation?

• How can you demonstrate value in a way that fits them?

Standing out for the sake of it rarely works. Standing out with intention can.

Approach 4: Follow the instructions

Sometimes the only option is to apply exactly as instructed: online forms, uploaded documents, and introduction videos.

If that’s the case, do it well.

Assume that in the early stages, some form of automation or AI may be screening applications. Use the language from the job advertisement. Refer directly to keywords and criteria.

If you’re asked to submit a short video:

• Smile

• Connect with the camera

• Speak clearly

• Be yourself

This is often the first time they see you so make it count. Practise the video beforehand so you can make the most of the time allowed without thinking too much about what to say next.

Recap

Before approaching an employer:

• Research the organisation

• Remind yourself of your why

• Choose an approach that fits the role and the industry

• Prepare — then act

Confidence doesn’t come from luck.It comes from preparation and clarity.

And if you’re navigating this process and would like support — Let’s chat

Ashleigh