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, this isn’t where you
want to spend 90% of your time.
The four most effective are:
1. responding to advertisements
2.using
employment agencies
3. cold calling
4. networking
1. 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 resume and cover letter
- address all the points in the advertisement to
demonstrate that you match the employers needs.
2. Using employment agencies:
- 10 – 20% of people secure employment through
temporary or employment agencies
- use different agencies simultaneously to access as
many opportunities as possible
- treat agencies like potential employers, 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
3. 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 (see example)
- anticipate the questions and blocks you may encounter
from an employer
- if you are asked to send in a resume, do so right away
and refer to your cold call in your cover letter
4. Networking/Personal Contacting:
- 60 – 80% of people find work through networking
or personal contacting
- employers prefer to hire people that they know, or
that are made known to them through other people they know
- take advantage of any opportunities 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:
1. "an exchange of
information between two people that leads to further contacts or information,"
2. something that you
keep on doing…and doing…and doing, and
3. a necessity, because
in today’s market, employment tends to be short-term and/or of uncertain duration.
Networking is not
several things:
1. Asking for a job,
2. Something that you do
only when you are looking for a job,
3. Something that you
stop doing when you’ve got a job, or
4. A luxury in
today’s job market.
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