| Anyone in the market for a job right now knows | | | | import to you, whether it's benefits, paid-training, |
| what the challenges are. Job hunters already know it | | | | salary, or a location close to home. |
| takes more than a good set of skills and a | | | | It's sometimes about who you know. |
| well-written resume to compete for a position in | | | | Identify a list of contacts you have at each firm. |
| 2008. Searching for the right job today includes | | | | Include every possible source you know, from the |
| uncovering all the resources available that may lead | | | | receptionist to the CEO. The next list includes the |
| to great career path with a solid company. Although | | | | names of neighbors, friends, and relatives who know |
| there are hundreds ways to find a job, one of them | | | | people at your targeted company. |
| is an often-untapped source. | | | | Put the lists to work. |
| Cold calling during a job search can be the most | | | | Contact everyone on your list to gather information |
| effective tool used to land a job, but people may | | | | and take careful notes. You're trying to find out who |
| abandon the idea for a variety of reasons. One | | | | the decision makers are and who reports to whom. |
| reason is that it's much easier to read a classified ad | | | | Ask for names and titles, and get phone numbers |
| than it is to go out and discover open positions on | | | | with extensions if you can. |
| your own. Scanning the internet job boards doesn't | | | | Before you start dialing... |
| require much effort either. Both of those methods | | | | Have an idea of what you're going to say and write |
| are fine if your specialty skill or talent is in demand, | | | | a script if it helps. The goal is to make the most of |
| recruiters may then be looking for you. For everyone | | | | the conversation in the briefest amount of time. |
| else, reading the classifieds can be a lot less | | | | Prepare and rehearse a few open-ended questions |
| productive than cold calling. | | | | so you can avoid getting all yes-no answers and end |
| Maybe the idea of cold calling is new to you, or | | | | up with the dreaded dead end conversation. |
| you've never considered it before for other reasons. | | | | It's time to start calling. |
| Now might be good time to revisit it. It may be | | | | Reaching the right person may take more than one |
| worth stronger consideration if you've been out of | | | | call. It's always advantageous to be able to open a |
| work for a while or if everything else you've tried | | | | conversation by mentioning the name of the person |
| has failed. | | | | who referred you. It immediately establishes some |
| Statistics show that many job openings are never | | | | common ground after you introduce yourself. It also |
| advertised publicly. If they are not filled by a | | | | helps to get by the gatekeepers whose primary |
| recruiter, they are filled either in-house or by | | | | purpose is to screen out calls like yours. You'll ask |
| word-of-mouth, or some other form of networking. | | | | questions that tell you if and when positions are |
| This is especially true for many of the more desirable | | | | opening and what qualifications are needed. Whether |
| jobs. People want to work with people they know, | | | | you're speaking with the decision maker or a person |
| so their associates are usually the first to hear about | | | | who knows the decision maker, both are valuable. |
| vacancies. | | | | Anyone with information may want to share more |
| If you're already convinced that cold calling is they | | | | than the actual decision maker is inclined to do at the |
| way to go but didn't know how to do it, here's a | | | | time. |
| plan to help you get started: | | | | Ask for a meeting. |
| Target the companies that fit well with your career | | | | If things are going well, ask for a 10-minute visit to |
| plan. | | | | discuss what you could contribute to the company. |
| The first phase is the research phase where you're | | | | Offer to forward your resume in advance or make |
| looking at every business that may require your skills. | | | | an appointment for a second phone conversation. |
| It's an easy task in small cities but may take a bit | | | | The point is to leave the conversation with |
| more effort in larger metropolitan areas. The yellow | | | | something. |
| pages, classified ads, trade magazines, and internet | | | | Do follow up and be persistent. |
| searches will help reveal the names of places where | | | | Sometimes everything falls into place with perfect |
| your talent can grow. | | | | timing, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't. The key |
| Everything begins with a list. | | | | is to be persistent and continue to explore all |
| Prioritize the names of the companies you'd like to | | | | avenues. Follow up every call with a written thank |
| work for ahead of those who simply hire for the | | | | you and remember to include your original sources of |
| skills you have to offer. Almost every company has | | | | information on the list. One of those people could |
| a presence on the internet with their own website. | | | | deliver the tip that will make your cold calling mission |
| You'll be looking for the characteristics that are most | | | | a successful one. |