Job Search - The Speculative Approach
The speculative approach of locating vacancies is often overlooked because is appears to be the least productive, however, looks can be deceiving.The speculative approach is where the job applicant makes applications to companies who are not currently advertising a vacancy. In many ways this is similar to cold calling and like cold calling you can expect a similar number of rejections. Please, please, please realise that this does not mean that the speculative approach is not working, in fact you will find it is working just fine.Month after month the statistics demanded of Jobclubs by Employment Services showed that more of our members found employment using the speculative approach than by any other method.Is that surprising?It shouldn't be when you look at the efficient method we used when employing the speculative approach. Our Jobclub members had a target of 10 job leads a day. They typically looked for advertised vacancies first as these took the longest to prepare for.
The bulk of the remaining applications came from the speculative approach.Job leads for the speculative approach come from locating companies that employ people in your chosen field by using publications such as:-Local NewspaperNational NewspaperSpecialist Trade PublicationsPersonal ContactsBusiness ContactsPhone DirectoryBusiness DirectoriesLocal libraryInternetOne key piece of information that you should take time to locate is the name of the Human Resources Manager or if it is a small company the business owner (CEO or Director) or a Manager in the Department you are applying for a job in.How do you get that information?The quickest was is by phone. Call the company, you will normally get a receptionist or switchboard operator answering. So ask them! Simply say something like..."I have a letter for the person that deals with job applications but I can't find their name, can you tell me who's name I should put on the letter?"How simple is that? Now I know some of you probably don't enjoy calling people you don't know by telephone, but does the minor discomfort really matter compared to the potential results? It's a sixty second call, easy.Now if you can find out a little bit more about the company, then you can make sure that you fine tune your approach to them.But having located the potential vacancy what should the covering letter look like?Before I show you an example, please understand that you should always write in your own style, but certain phrases within the example are key to the success of the approach, in particular, the one's that suggest why you are writing and the closing statement that prompts the employer to take action.Have a close look at the example below, we can discuss it afterwards (please ignore "." characters used for spacing):------------------------------------------------------------.......................................123 Some Street.......................................Mytown.......................................Whatever County.......................................Postal CodeNamed PersonCompany NameStreetTownCountyPostal Code............................DATEDear Named Person,It was with interest that I recently found details ofyour company in a local publication and it occurred tome that my previous experience may be a close match forany positions you may have available now or in the nearfuture.As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experiencewith COMPANY NAME as a JOB TITLE would be suited to asimilar position within your company. Previous employershave found my skills coupled with my ability to work aspart of a team or on my own initiative to be a usefulcombination.Should you have any suitable vacancies now or in thenear future, I would welcome the opportunity to discussmy suitability with you.I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.Yours sincerelySignatureYour Name-----------------------------------------------------------Right, lets take a look at the structure. First off, this is a business letter and so the layout should reflect that in the address and date layout.Next lets look at the opening paragraph;It was with interest that I recently found details of your company in a local publication and it occurred to me that my previous experience may be a close match for any positions you may have available now or in the near future.By using language like "with interest that I recently found details of your company" is a subtle compliment and leads them into the letter.
The rest of the paragraph is a polite way of say "any jobs going?" :-)The second paragraph is the real key paragraph;"As you can see from my enclosed resume" is an invitation to read the resume, in fact the reader should at this point stop reading the letter and start looking at the resume, but just in case they don't, it continues to build a desire to read the resume...."my experience with COMPANY NAME as a JOB TITLE would be suited to a similar position within your company." At this point they should be trying to find those key skills in your resume.Now we come to something called third party credibility. That is to say, we want to suggest that other people think you are good at your job;"Previous employers have found my skills coupled with my ability to work as part of a team or on my own initiative to be a useful combination."The wording here is critical, if you say "I am an expert at xyz" then you are blowing your own trumpet, bragging etc, but that does not help anyone believe that it is so. If you imply that someone else thinks you are good at your job then they are much more likely to believe it.This is a commonly used technique in advertising, for a quick example look at sales pages on the internet, most have "testimonials" because you are more likely to believe the product or service is good if someone else says it is so.We should never be afraid of using these techniques because they actually work.The covering letter and resume should be a combination that work together to sell your skills and abilities, they are your sales copy with the sole purpose of getting you to an interview. Therefore to be professional in your approach you need to sell the features and benefits that you have to offer the company. Horrible idea you are thinking.
I agree! But we have to get the job done in the best way possible and that means selling your skills.Next;"Should you have any suitable vacancies now or in the near future, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my suitability with you."Is a polite request that you be considered for any up-coming vacancies, if you are lucky they are about to start a recruitment campaign and you can save them the trouble and cost. If you are unlucky you may be put on file for a 2 or 3 months, that is not a bad thing in the short term.Finally;"I look forward to hearing from you in the near future." Is a straight forward request for them to contact you. You could substitute it with:-"Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me."And of course if you are actually looking for a job in sales then you have to prove you are a sales person:-"I look forward to hearing from you in the near future and will call to discuss any forthcoming vacancies with you in a few days time."How pushy is that? Please don't use that if you are not applying for a sales post. But if you are looking for a sales job it is a good line so long as you follow it up with a phone call to prove you are good at your job.For most people the traditional ending is plenty good enough.So, take some time to run through this again tomorrow after you have had time to think about it, write out a similar letter in your own words and see if you are happier with your own words. But what ever you decide, take action and use the speculative approach.
It really is a very effective tool in the job search toolbox..
Leaving the Royal Air Force, Steve worked for a Charity helping the unemployed to find work. Within a few months the two programs he ran were top of the counties league table.Head hunted, Steve lead 7 similar programs, within 6 months they were all in the top 10 - including the number one spot.http://www.911resume.comA Computer Software Engineer Resume Should Highlight Your Advanced Knowledge And Technical Skills.
A computer software engineer resume must highlight your technical skills. This article gives you some ideas of the sort of information that an employer is looking for in your resume.
- Apart from the basic resume requirements like contact details, experience etc, a software engineer resume should include the following information:
- A clear cut career and job objective which shows your sense of direction to the employer.
- Your resume should have the names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles.
- Give a brief description about the employer like what they are doing, if they are not well known.
- The number of staff that you manage (if applicable)
- Include some of the topics that are applicable to you like technical certifications, hardware knowledge, operating systems, networking/protocols, programming/languages, web applications and database applications etc.
- Include a statement of your...
Sample resume > A Computer Software Engineer Resume Should Highlight Your Advanced Knowledge And Technical Skills.
What's In A Name?
You probably searched for the word resume on your way here, if not then you may have searched for Curriculum Vitae, but what's the difference?Definition - Curriculum Vitae (CV): - A special type of resume traditionally used within the academic community. Earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities are featured. Unlike a resume, a CV tends to be longer and more informational than promotional in tone. Note: The CV required in theses and dissertations follows a very specific format.In the United Kingdom, and many other places, the description Curriculum Vitae applies to any resume type document, it's important to understand that in some countries the terms are interchangeable.The description above explains that usually the CV is usually used by the academic community, but it is not limited to them.It is usually focused on teaching and research experience; as such it will have a great deal of specific information relating to specialist...
What's In A Name?
Sample resume > What's In A Name?
The Right Keywords Can Get Your Resume Noticed Among the Harshest Competition
It's often been said that saying the right words at the right time is the key to success in the business world. If you have a line in your presentation that really captures attention?or if you say something particularly clever in a job interview?you may be able to achieve a career high you never dreamed possible.
It's also no secret that a resume needs to be worded quite carefully if it is to accomplish the job applicant's hoped-for results. While you're drafting the wording for your career highlights, job duties, and other essential information for your resume, you should give some serious attention to keywords.
How the High-Tech Revolution Changed Resume Reading
There was a time when employers took a stack of resumes that had been handed to them by their secretaries and proceeded to read through them, carefully laying aside those resumes that featured applicants that appeared to be suitable to the companies' needs. Of course, this was a painstaking,...
Sample resume > The Right Keywords Can Get Your Resume Noticed Among the Harshest Competition
Costco's Example Can Boost Your Home Internet Business
Copyright ? Robbie Fanucchi
http://www.RJFanucchi.com
We've all shopped at Costco. You ever notice how many free samples they give away?
The other day I counted 8 free food sample stations set up throughout the store.
I was truly amazed.
A person could take a sample from each station and go home satisfied and full.
Seeing all the freebies reinforced in my mind what a powerful marketing tactic giving away free stuff is.
Just think how many of those samplers actually turned into a customer.
I know first hand that that in-store sampling pays off.
I used to conduct product sampling in my accounts when I worked as a sales rep for a liquor distributor.
Sales always increased, sometimes over 100 percent, and since I was paid commission, you can bet I scheduled as many in-store samplings as possible.
Now that I've become a Internet marketer,...
Sample resume > Costco's Example Can Boost Your Home Internet Business
A Computer Software Engineer Resume Should Highlight Your Advanced Knowledge And Technical Skills.
A computer software engineer resume must highlight your technical skills. This article gives you some ideas of the sort of information that an employer is looking for in your resume.
- Apart from the basic resume requirements like contact details, experience etc, a software engineer resume should include the following information:
- A clear cut career and job objective which shows your sense of direction to the employer.
- Your resume should have the names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles.
- Give a brief description about the employer like what they are doing, if they are not well known.
- The number of staff that you manage (if applicable)
- Include some of the topics that are applicable to you like technical certifications, hardware knowledge, operating systems, networking/protocols, programming/languages, web applications and database applications etc.
- Include a statement of your...
Sample resume > A Computer Software Engineer Resume Should Highlight Your Advanced Knowledge And Technical Skills.
The Right Keywords Can Get Your Resume Noticed Among the Harshest Competition
It's often been said that saying the right words at the right time is the key to success in the business world. If you have a line in your presentation that really captures attention?or if you say something particularly clever in a job interview?you may be able to achieve a career high you never dreamed possible.
It's also no secret that a resume needs to be worded quite carefully if it is to accomplish the job applicant's hoped-for results. While you're drafting the wording for your career highlights, job duties, and other essential information for your resume, you should give some serious attention to keywords.
How the High-Tech Revolution Changed Resume Reading
There was a time when employers took a stack of resumes that had been handed to them by their secretaries and proceeded to read through them, carefully laying aside those resumes that featured applicants that appeared to be suitable to the companies' needs. Of course, this was a painstaking,...
Sample resume > The Right Keywords Can Get Your Resume Noticed Among the Harshest Competition
LearnHypnosisNow.com, a portal for people interested in hypnosis and new home of the Learn Hypnosis... Now! ebook, officially launches
Michael Stevensone-mail protected from spam botsLiquid Mirror Enterprises24338 El Toro Road Suite E-414Laguna Hills, CA 92653 USAPhone (800) 516-9167Fax (714) 242-1736Liquid Mirror Enterprises launches LearnHypnosisNow.com, a new portal for people interested in hypnosis, and new home to the top-selling ebook, Learn Hypnosis... Now!September 12, 2003 -- Learn Hypnosis... Now! at LearnHypnosisNow.com has opened its doors to the public. Visitors to the site can learn about hypnosis, join the free semi-monthly newsletter, and purchase ebooks and paper-books from the site. The semi-monthly Learn Hypnosis...
Now! newsletter is designed for interested visitors, curious about hypnosis.
In the newsletter, Learn Hypnosis... Now! author Mike Stevenson provides tips and tricks, answers questions from visitors and readers, and offers special, members-only discounts on hypnosis related items.Free sample chapters from the book Learn Hypnosis... Now! are also available for free as a...
Sample resume > LearnHypnosisNow.com, a portal for people interested in hypnosis and new home of the Learn Hypnosis... Now! ebook, officially launches
YR MEDIA SCOOPS INTERACTIVE MUSIC GONG WITH DIZZEE RASCAL
(ContentDesk) December 8 2003--WIRELESS marketing expert YR Media has struck gold, scooping a prestigious Interactive Music Award for its work with Dizzee Rascal.YR Media's cutting edge support for the Mercury prize winning artist won the Bristol-based company the ?Best Use of Mobile' Award.The campaign featured SMS interaction from the artist and a blend of polyphonic ringtones, mobile phone wallpaper and other unique content created by the team hand in hand with Dizzee and his record label,...
Job Search - The Speculative Approach Sample resume ringtones YR MEDIA SCOOPS INTERACTIVE MUSIC GONG WITH DIZZEE RASCAL
Sample resume > YR MEDIA SCOOPS INTERACTIVE MUSIC GONG WITH DIZZEE RASCAL
Mother's Day Gift Baskets Lauched at Full Moon Gift Baskets
Jacksonville, FL (ContentDesk) April 30, 2006 -- Full Moon Gift Baskets.com has a wonderful selection of Mother's Day Gift Baskets just for mom, including custom gift baskets featuring gourmet coffees and teas, chocolates, pamper gift baskets, as well as many other items allowing gift basket shoppers to choose from a wide variety of gift baskets in every price range. Our whole mission is to create beautiful unique gift baskets that leave an lasting impression, says Sifford, owner of the company....
Job Search - The Speculative Approach Sample resume
Sample resume > Mother's Day Gift Baskets Lauched at Full Moon Gift Baskets
A Quick and Simple Tip for Gaining Customers
In the course of my career, I've had to deal with a lot of vendors?software companies, sensor manufacturers, electronics distributors and more. Some of them have left lasting impressions on me, whereas others have been eminently forgettable. I'd like to talk about two of the more memorable vendors, and the simple technique that they used (perhaps unknowingly) which made them stand out in my memory.As my byline shows, I have the letters "Ph.D." after my name; however, I seldom use that title...
suits Job Search - The Speculative Approach Sample resume A Quick and Simple Tip for Gaining Customers
Sample resume > A Quick and Simple Tip for Gaining Customers
Bagettes.com Solves Travelers' Dilemma With Custom Photo Purses
Prairie Village, KS (ContentDesk) July 3, 2005 -? www.Bagettes.com has found a unique way to solve a common traveling dilemma ? how to carry photos from home without bringing a photo album or "brag book" along. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, a favorite family photo beautifully crafted into a makeup bag, purse, or accessory tote, allows travelers to carry their photo memories, without over packing.Our custom photo bags are created...
Job Search - The Speculative Approach Sample resume Bagettes.com Solves Travelers' Dilemma With Custom Photo Purses purses
Sample resume > Bagettes.com Solves Travelers' Dilemma With Custom Photo Purses
AdvancedTele.com Acquires Photo Blog Web Site
AdvancedTele.com has acquired the ZIMoBLOG website (http://www.zimoblog.com) and related technology from ZIM Corporation (NASDAQ:ZIMCF).ZIMoBLOG is a mobile blogging site that allows users to post digital photos and text to a publicly accessible web site. Members can post photos and comments to their own personal blog site or post comments on other members' blog sites. Registration to the site is free.AdvancedTele.com has acquired the technology...
Job Search - The Speculative Approach Sample resume ringtones AdvancedTele.com Acquires Photo Blog Web Site
Sample resume > AdvancedTele.com Acquires Photo Blog Web Site
A Guide to Finding Cheap Loans
Finding cheap loans isn't always easy? it seems like every time you turn around new rates and fees are added and the loan process becomes increasingly frustrating with each new change that's made. Cheap loans don't have to be such a hassle, however? there are a variety of loan options available for people of all credit levels that allow you to get the money that you need without paying extremely bloated fees and interest rates.If you're looking for cheap loans, you should keep in mind the fact...
Job Search - The Speculative Approach
Sample resume > A Guide to Finding Cheap Loans
Sample resume
This page loaded in 0.05315 seconds.