This article offers ways on how job seekers can approach or advance towards potential employers, an important step in getting that job.
Possible jobs are filled faster than job seekers often realize, so it pays to know the ways of approaching potential employers immediately.
In "cold calling" or "cold canvassing," the job is not or has not been advertised. Potential employer is contacted by telephone. The advantage of this approach is that job seekers can target employers they want to work for.
If an employer does not have an immediate vacancy, he may be interested in employing you in the future. Provide a copy of your resume for them and follow up at a later date. Persistence may pay off.
Often, newspapers run ads for jobs which call for a written response. Sometimes the name of the company is concealed with only a blind box number given. Although this tends to be a somewhat low yield effort, there may be occasional advertisements that are particularly suited to your special skills and experiences.
Suggestions in Answering Ads:
Look for companies running large advertisements too. Even if your qualifications don’t exactly match those jobs featured, there might be other positions available when companies might restructure.
Be aware of firms that are expanding or moving in other areas. They might hire you at a later date and staffing plans might be advanced if you are available.
"Target companies" are strong potential employers. They are the ones for which you will be mounting a tailor-made campaign. They are chosen according to the requirements you, as a job seeker, have been developing to date, including location, profitability, opportunity for promotion, pay scales.
The bigger the market for your skills or pay level, the more selective you can afford to be in narrowing your job search to a smaller number of target companies.
Along with a resume, one of the most important marketing tools that a job seeker uses is the letter accompanying the resume, often called the "cover letter." For efficiency, a standard letter form should be developed.
Suggestions when composing a cover letter:
Some employers rely on job searchers approaching them, to save them money and time. Others also think that those who contact them show they are proactive, a quality that can well be regarded.