Phone Empoyers: Just do it!

No-one likes making cold calls.

However the question is: what is more important to you - avoiding making cold calls or getting a job?

If getting a job is more important, make the cold calls!

Yes, of course, you are going to experience some rejection. But it's not personal. It's just that they don't have any jobs, or time to talk to you.

Just take it at face value and move on to the next call.

Cold calls work.

Prepare a script, with how you want to introduce yourself, and then get on the phone to any employer who might hire someone with your skills.

If they say no, ask if they know who is hiring.

Don't ask if you can call back again ... they might say no!

Instead, just mark down on your list when you phoned, and follow up again in a few weeks, if you are still job hunting.

Try this Simple Job Search System.

Go where the employers go

Where do employers go when they're out of the office?

One of the places they go is the local Chamber of Commerce, or Business Centre for the city or town. These organizations usually host monthly "mixers", often for free and open to non-members at least for one visit.

Here employers mix and hope to find more business or business connections.

Here is also where they pass on names of possible employees to each other.

Here is where you should be as part of your job search, ready with your business card and 30 second info-mercial.
(read down for more on these)

Go around, meet as many people as you can. Tell them what you are looking for in the way of work and give them your card. Ask them to pass it on to anyone they know who may be looking for someone with your skills.

Your business card will have your name, contact information and either a job title (if the title makes it clear what you do) or 3 bulleted skills that you think will hook an employer the most.

Your Informercial takes about 30 seconds to deliver, and tells the listener exactly what it is you are seeking by way of employment.

Read other blog entries here on these two topics.

So get out and meet employers where they go, and find jobs before your competition.

Need more help with your job search?

New Year: New Job

It's tough looking for a new job over the festive season.

Employers are not looking to hire, unless it's absolutely necessary, until the new year rolls in.

So now the new year has arrived, it's time to kick your job search into high gear.

Don't wait for the job ads to appear. Get out there and introduce yourself to as many employers as you can.

Temporary employment, especially retail, falls off after the Christmas sales are over, but that doesn't mean there are no jobs.

Consider who might hire you. Consider why they might be looking early in the year.

Write up your resume and cover letter and go around dropping them off at every place you think might be interested in hiring someone with your skills.

If you find an employer who was thinking of placing an ad early in the new year, you have a chance of getting in ahead of the competition, and getting a new job, with the ad never having to run.

Any time is the right time to go cold calling to employers. And if you ask each one who doesn't have a job for you, if they know of any other business that might be looking to hire, your cold calls become "warm" calls.

It's a warm call because now you can say "Mr. X of ABC company mentioned you might be hiring soon...." and the door opens a little wider because you are mentioning a name they know.

So, yes, any time is the right time to drop off resumes, but if you get going first thing in the new year, you have a chance at beating every one else to the new job.

Good Luck and Happy New Year.

Want more help in finding that perfect job?

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Soft Skills most in demand by Employers

In a regular government publication the following soft skills show up regularly.

1. Effective Communication Skills
   
   
2. Excellent Interpersonal Skills
   
   
3. Leadership Potential
   
   
4. Team Player
   
   
5. Organized
   
   
6. Problem Solving/ Analytical
   
   
7. Customer Service Oriented
   
   
8. Self Motivated
   
   
9. Willingness to make decisions
   
   
10. Accept Responsibility
    
    
11. Learn new tasks willingly
    
    
12. Show flexibility/ ability to handle change
    
    
13. Committed to the job
    
    
14. Willing to grow in the job
    
    
15. Ability to handle personal problems
    
    Decide which of these are your strengths, and make sure they are on your resume, and that you mention them in an interview... whether or not the employer is asking for them!