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.

Be Creatrive: consider how your skills can fit into the most unlikely places

We all tend to allow ourselves to get stuck in "boxes". We get ideas about where our skills fit and don't realize that there are a great many other places and businesses out there where these same skills might be useful.

A client who had been working in manufacturing for years, moved to the island here where I live to be with his new fiancee, where basically there is no manufacturing. He couldn't think what on earth he could do here. However, this is a retirement location, so health care is huge. He eventually found work cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments, working for the local Health Authority. Wasn't an obvious move from manufacturing, but it turned out to use the same mechanical skills and attention to detail he has used before.

That is just one example of a creative job search.

Don't allow yourself to be boxed in by where you expect to find work. Instead, look to see what is out there. What companies, what types of work are hiring, then think out which of your skills fit in, and how.

Don't expect the employer to do this when you send in your resume. S/he won't.

Instead, make sure you point out clearly that you have these specific skills that are relevant to the job for which you are applying, even if it's a totally different job than you've had before. It's the skills that matter, not the job title.

But you have to sell the skills Your resume has to be targetted to the job you are applying for, and the relevant skills you have to offer. And when you go to the interview, make sure you are ready to back that up with strong examples of when you used these skills in ways that make sense to this employer and this job.

The limit of this is your creativity. Notice I say creativity ... I am not suggesting any deception. I am however suggesting looking at your skills from a different angle and finding out where else they could fit.
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If you can't get one job, have you considered two or more?

Although less than 50% of workers in North America have full time (37+ hours a week) jobs, that is what most people still think of when they think about "getting a job."
But it's not the only option.

2 or more part time jobs can be a solution. And I know, many people don't want to have several part time jobs, and often the benefits that come with a full time job are not there.

But if you can't get that full time job at the moment, it can be a very viable option.

The benefits of more than one part time job are that you gain a wider variety of skills. Perhaps your 2 jobs are quite different, or perhaps they are doing the same type of work for more than one employer. Either way, you will learn more skills and, if you do a good job, gain more great references.

If boredom has ever been an issue in your work, 2 different part time jobs can ease that considerably.

You will meet more coworkers, and have the opportunity through that not just to make more friends, but also, to hear what else is going on the outside world of work from more people ... giving you a greater chance to hear of full time work when it reappears.

Try looking on the positive.

When you look on the negative all you see are the negative points. But everything has a positive side. Actively look for the positives in the concept of more than one part time job, and you will be surprised how many you will find.

As a confirmed part-time-in-more-than-one-job worker myself, I can tell you quite honestly that I love it, and would never want to have one full time job ever again.

Think about it ... what part time work could you do?
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Network you way to a job

Just because you are looking for a job in accounting doesn't mean it's not worth while to tell your plumber, your hairdresser, your friend's friend who's a salesman.

Most people have heard of the 6 degrees of separation, which stated that you are never more than 6 contacts away from the person you want to find.

Have you also heard that most people have a network of around 200-300 people. That is, most people know 200 - 300 people.

So just because the person you are speaking to can't hire you, doesn't mean s/he doesn't know someone who can, or at least know someone, who knows someone who can.

It doesn't make sense to ask your mailman if he can hire you as an office manager, but it does make sense to tell your mailman you are seeking a position as an office manager and can s/he think of anyone you could talk to, who may know of any position of this type.

You have to explain in easy to understand language what your job is - and this is easier for some than for others (specifically those in the computer world), but you have to if you want to get the names of people to talk to.

So get out there and network. Ask everyone you know if they know of anyone you can talk to. Make it clear that you do not necessarily expect that person to be able to hire you. You just want to talk to them and find out if they know of any companies that are hiring etc.

Job search is hard work if done right, but the rewards are worth it.

Facebook and the job seeker

Facebook and the job seeker. If you are on Facebook or any of the social networking sites, and also engaged in a job search, be careful.

More and more employers are checking out these sites when they receive resumes, so make sure your social networking pages are appropriate to the employer to see.

They don't of course have to be selling you for a job - although it's a prefectly good place to mention you are job seeking. But they also must not have information and photos on them that you don't want an employer to see.

So when you are applying for work, bear that in mind, and if necessary, change your social networking pages until you are happily employed again.

More help in finding a great job.

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Jobs can be found in News Stories

Jobs can be found in News Stories. Yes, they can.

When you read the newspaper, or listen to the news on the radio or TV, do so with your job search in mind.

Knowing when a new business is coming to town, a new project happening or an event taking place can show you where your skills and experience can be put to use.

A new hotel coming? Not only is there construction, but there will be all the products and services needed related to decorating, supplies of all kinds, and eventually staff.

They may need a connection to a charter bus service, or taxi service for their guests, and various other contract guest services, including hairdressing, facials and massage.

They may want tour guides, or shopping assistants and a galaxy of other products and services.

And that is only a few of the things that will be connected with this new hotel.

By identifying how this opportunity could be of benefit to you, you can get in on the ground floor - you can contact the hotel before they start looking for someone with your skills, offer your services and avoid the competition from others who can offer the same.

Be creative. No, a new hotel will not have a human resources office on the main floor - because the main floor isn't built yet!

If it's a chain, you can contact another hotel of the same chain and find out the information, or visit their website. What ever information you do have about this happening, do not be afraid to follow up on it, ask questions, and eventually you will find the person you need.

Whatever the news story you hear, consider what it could mean in terms of work for you, and follow up. Don't give up because the person to contact is not obvious. Dig deep and gain your reward.

Have a great resume ready, and you will probably be rewarded for your persistence and determination.

Need more job search help?

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What is the Hidden Job Market?

What is the Hidden Job Market?

It is every job that is not advertised. Between 85% and 93% of all jobs are considered to be in this Hidden Job Market.

How do you find these jobs?

Basically by talking to people. Networking.

That doesn't just mean talking to people you think might be able to hire you. It means talking to everyone you know or meet.

We all know approximately 300 people. So your hairdresser, for example, probably can't hire you, but s/he may know someone who can.

Your aunt's coworker's brother may be looking for someone with just your skills, but if you don't tell your aunt exactly what is it you are looking for, in words that she can then pass on intelligently, then her coworker's brother is never going to hear about you.

You can tell employers directly by calling them on the phone and introducing yourself and your skills.

However, it's best to sidetrack the "We're not hiring" speech, by not actually asking for a job.

Instead ask if they know of any where that is hiring. That way you are asking them if they can pass you on to any other business that is hiring and not putting them on the spot.

If they are hiring and like the sound of you, presumably they'll tell you. But if they're not hiring, they might tell you of another company who is.

If they do this, you can then phone the other company and tell them that xxxx from xxxx company told you about this position.

You are not using the first employer's name as a reference, just as a source of information, but it still has the power to make this second door open more easily for you.

So get out there and network. Speak to everyone you know. Ask them to tell others. Contact every employer you think might have work for you, or know of anyone else who has.

It's all about your network. Online and offline, your network in your main support in job seeking.

Want more help to find that ideal job?

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How many jobs are you missing by only looking at the job ads?

How many jobs are you missing by only looking at the jobs ads?

Estimates vary, but advertised jobs only comprise somewhere between 7% and 15% of jobs that available.

So if all you do is look at the job postings you are missing between 85% and 93% of all jobs.

Hmmmm.

If that's what you are doing, perhaps it's time to access the Hidden Job Market, which is where you'll find the rest of the jobs.

More help is available to get you to that great job.

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