Direct contact with employers...
We have already stated the importance of talking with employers whether or not they have an opening.
Meet employers at:
1. Career fairs, company information sessions, receptions, socials, workshops, and company site visits
Contact employers directly via:
- 1. Telephone - Develop a list of employers to call using the yellow pages. The yellow pages list virtually every organization in a geographic area. Ask yourself, “Could this type of organization use a person with my skills?” You may be surprised at how many places you could potentially find work.
- 2. Drop in unannounced if you think they could probably use a person with your skills. Find out who is in charge of the area you want to work in and ask to speak with them. If they are too busy, find out when a better time would be or set up a later time right then and there for an interview.
- 3. Internet – Utilize contact information provided on company websites or job postings.
- 4. Write a letter or send an e-mail – Introduce yourself, explain your interest in the organization and/or job, and ask for a meeting. Mention that you will call to confirm a date, and follow up with a phone call promptly. Remember to proofread all your correspondence!
As with any contact method, your objective is to set up an interview and get a job offer. Remember, most jobs are with small employers. About 70% of all people now work in small businesses – those with 250 or fewer employees. While the largest corporations have reduced the number of employees, small businesses have been creating as many as 80% of the new jobs. There are many opportunities to obtain training and promotions in smaller organizations, too.
Many do not even have a personnel department; so nontraditional job search techniques are particularly effective with them.
We know that most cold calls won’t end in an interview; however, a few will. Utilize the following techniques to increase your chances…
- 1. Write your phone script in advance. Create a phone presentation that tells the essentials about you in less than 30 seconds.
- 2. Get to the hiring authority. Do not ask for the personnel department. Your objective is to get to the person who would supervise a person with your skills with in the organization you are calling. In a large organization, ask for the department head. In a smaller organization, ask for the manager.
- 3. Make your presentation without interruption. Use a friendly and natural voice. Generally, people won’t interrupt you unless you go over 30 seconds.
- 4. Ask 3 times for an interview. If the employer says there are no openings say, “That is OK. I would still like to talk to you about the possibility of future openings.” If they say they are too busy, say “I understand, when would be a better time for me to call you back?” And then do!
- 5. Follow up after each contact. Send a simple thank you note. Thank the contact for his or her time, and include a resume.