Online Guide to Employment
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 and should follow to find a job. The best action plan to find a job is one that combines the four methods below.
Use your time wisely. Only 5 - 15% of people find jobs through newspaper advertisements. Therefore, this is not 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 by 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:
- 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.
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