|
Step
4: Identifying and Contacting Potential Employers
Four
Methods of Developing Job Leads
Whether
you are job searching in the hidden or visible job market,
there are a variety of methods you can use to find a job.
The best game plan to find a job is to combine the four methods
below.
Use your
time wisely. Only 5 - 15% of people find jobs through newspaper
advertisements. Therefore, this isn't where you want to spend
most of your time.
The four
most effective methods are:
- Responding
to advertisements
- Using
employment agencies
- Cold
calling
- Networking
Responding
to Advertisements
- 5
- 15% of people find work through responding to advertisements.
- Make
sure your application stands out by presenting a professional,
error free résumé and cover letter.
- Address
all the points in the advertisement to demonstrate that
you match the employer's needs.
Using
Employment Agencies
- 10
- 20% of people secure employment through employment agencies.
- Use
different agencies simultaneously to access as many opportunities
as possible.
- Treat
agencies like potential employers and make a positive impression.
- Follow-up
with the agencies regularly to build familiarity. Remind
them that you are there, ready to work and what your skills
and qualifications are as well as to demonstrate your interest
in finding work.
Cold
Calling
- 5 -
15% of people find work through cold calling
- Research
companies that you are interested in working for (what they
do, a contact person, etc.)
- Prepare
a cold calling script
- Anticipate
the questions and blocks you may encounter from an employer
- If
you are asked to send in a résumé, do so right away and
refer to your cold call in your cover letter
Networking
and Personal Contacts
- 60
- 80% of people find work through networking or personal
contacts.
- Employers
prefer to hire people that they know, or are made known
to them through other contacts.
- Take
advantage of any opportunity to get to know people who are
in a position to hire or create new positions.
- Ensure
that people in your life (family and friends) know the kind
of work you are looking for as well as some of your skills
and qualifications. You never know where a job opportunity
may come from.
The following
passage on networking is taken from The Hidden Job Market
by Sharon Hill of the Toronto Centre for Career Action.
Networking:
- An
exchange of information between two people that leads to
further contacts or information
- Something
that you keep on doing…and doing…and doing…
- A necessity,
because in today's market, employment tends to be short-term
and/or of uncertain duration
Networking
is not several things:
- Asking
for a job
- Something
that you do only when you are looking for a job
- Something
that you stop doing when you've got a job
- A luxury
in today's job market.
|
