You can apply to companies on your own initiative. Don't confuse an unsolicited application with a blind application or 'rage applying' Find out more about the company in advance.

If the company has a website, you can start there. In the course of your research, information from LinkedIn or Xing profiles can also help you. You should ask yourself what the employer offers you and what you can contribute to the company. For confidential support, call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. For support in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. For more information on how to apply for a job in the Netherlands, visit the National Council of Jobs in the United States of America (NCUSA) or see http://www.ncsa.org/.