JOB SEARCH TECHNIQUES/ACCESSING HIDDEN MARKETS

As you continue your job search, consider using a variety of methods. The use of multiple techniques brings you in contact with more employers and increases your opportunities of getting a job. REVIEW THE STRATEGIES BELOW – NOTE WHICH ONES YOU ARE USING AND CONSIDER THE USE OF OTHERS LISTED:

● ACCESSING COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS such as COLORADO WORKFORCE CENTERS - See Section 4.4 for more info.

● ATTEMPTING TO SET YOURSELF APART FROM OTHERS - Sending a resume in an oversized envelope to draw attention to it, sending letters of inquiry to target firms, attending informational interviews, leaving resumes at every booth at career fairs, contacting firms who are laying people off (if they are laying off, they are also hiring).

● CAREER WEBSITES - Review the list in Section 4.2. We have had success with this list, although there may be others unique to your field that you should access.

● CHECKING COLLEGE PLACEMENT OFFICES and SCHOOL PLACEMENT CENTERS - Even if you are from out-of-state, your college placement office may have job leads for you. The leads may be with large firms in Colorado, as well as out-of-state firms. Also, check the Placement Centers in 2 year, 4 year and technical schools.

● CHECKING CORPORATE CAREER CENTERS and VISITING JOB BOARDS ON COMPANY WEBSITES - Large firms usually have corporate hiring centers and a website (Examples: Sears, IBM, and Ball). Also, most companies have job boards that you can access for job openings.

● CHECKING STATE GOVERNMENT WEBSITES - Look at the yellow pages under Colorado State Employment for phone numbers. There are state job openings and the state PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association) has the best benefits and retirement program.

* See also: The Colorado Department of Labor, The Denver Federal Center, local Chambers of Commerce, Civil Service Jobs, and Labor Unions, Apprenticeship Councils, and Trade Organizations (Check organization websites and read professional newsletters to find job leads.)

● CLASSIFIED ADS and/or TAKING OUT A PERSONAL AD - Check newspapers daily along with their websites. You can also consider taking out your own ad telling employers what you are looking for.

● COLD CALLING PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS - See Section 2.9 for more info.

● CONTACTING FIRMS THAT WERE COMPETITORS OF YOUR LAST EMPLOYER - They probably have people working for them who also have your skills.

● FAX SERVICE - WWW.JOBSBYFAX will send out 1,000 resumes and if you do not get a job, they will re-fax your resume for free. The initial charge is $135 for the first 1,000. We have one alumni who tried it and got a job with InfoPrint (formerly Ricoh).

● INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING - Contact a department head or someone in the sales force to learn about the company to get inside info and learn names of department heads, hiring managers, etc.

● JOB FAIRS - Attend them, take plenty of resumes, and leave one at each table. Also, find and network with people who have the same background as you. They too may know of jobs that fit you, but not themselves.

● MASS MAILINGS TO TARGETED COMPANIES and/or WALK-IN VISITS - Send letters of inquiry to target companies and attach a resume. It helps if you can learn who the hiring manager is and send one to Human Resources as well.

● NETWORKING GROUPS – Join two or three networking groups in your community.

● NETWORKING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS - Remember the people closest to you. Don't feel shy about letting them know you are job searching. They all care about you and want what is best for you. Build a super network of the people most likely to help you get a job and get them resumes.

● NETWORKING WITH PEERS AND PEOPLE FROM YOUR REFERENCE LIST - Stay in contact with people you had worked with and/or who know of your skills. They also may know of job openings and firms who are hiring.

● PERIODIC TELEPHONE CALLS TO UPDATE YOUR NETWORK and SENDING RESUMES TO PEOPLE IN YOUR NETWORK.

● PERIODIC VISITS TO COFFEE SHOPS TO MAKE NEW CONTACTS - Visit coffee shops near your target companies where workers go for coffee or lunch. Link up with employed people there who may know of job leads or competitors who may be hiring.

● RE-CONNECTING WITH THE LAST FIRM YOU WORKED FOR - Perhaps they have not found the right person to do your old job, and you might be re-hired, even if it is only on a contract basis.

● USING HEADHUNTERS - See Section 2.6 for more info.

● USING LIBRARIES - See Section 2.7 for more info.

● USING PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT/TEMP AGENCIES – These agencies know of full-time and part-time job openings. Also, if they place you as a temporary worker, it could possibly turn into a permanent situation.

SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:

* What techniques have furnished you with job leads previously?

* What technique did you use the last time you got a job?

* What are members of other networking groups suggesting?

Networking is still the number one method of getting job leads.

Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor