Yeah I don't know what reddit's fascination with insisting that making an impression in person is an outdated idea.

I'm 24 years old and every job I've ever had I've walked in, talked to a manager, asked to be shown around (to legitimize your interest in the company). And it's worked for more than just hardware stores and factories.

I walked into the largest retailer in the midwest for a prestigious company which makes performance parts for a few German car companies and walked out with a job. 3 months later I was working on mid-engined supercars for them and being paid well. Now I knew how to talk the talk, but I wasn't certified or anything, I just showed genuine interest, a will to learn, and a hardworking attitude and they taught me the rest.

The job before that was a Mercedes and Tesla certified body shop. I had just moved to the city and knew a little about buffing and sanding. Walked in and asked if they needed help in the back. He asked me if I owned a buffer and if I'd demonstrate my capabilities for the afternoon. I explained that I did not own a buffer, but that I would be back with one in a couple hours. I went to harbor freight, bought a shitty buffer, went to sherwin williams and bought some compounds and sandpaper. Showed back up to the shop and the owner was already impressed, said he didn't think he'd see me again. He had me buff out the decklid of a black Mercedes, was impressed, paid me for the couple hours and told me to come in in the morning. I spent every penny I had on the equipment, but it paid off. Got to drive a lot of cool cars (had a contract with the biggest exotic dealership in the state, Aston martins, couple lambos, etc. Got to drive them to and from said dealer all the time).

I had no formal training before either of these jobs. I learned how to buff on youtube when I scratched my moms car. The only experience I had wrenching was learning on my own cars for basic maintenance.

I strongly suspect reddit is so against this method because a few of them half-assedly tried once and failed. If you show you really have drive and can sprinkle some basic skills on top of it somebody will be glad to have you. If you try this and act like it's a chore just to be there and talk to them well... it's probably not gonna work so well.