Creative Job Hunting
This is based on an electronic document produced by the Careers Advisory
Service of Middlesex University
Many people find responding to job adverts and filling in application forms
a difficult and negative experience. Some people do not have the kind of
background that lends itself to conventional application forms and some
types of employment tend to recruit through a networking process.
Creative job hunting can provide a more positive experience. The
technique can be successful in almost any occupational area. So instead of
saying "I am the victim of a difficult job market" think proactively
and change it to "I can take the initiative, I can choose my employer".
Self Awareness
The first step, and maybe the most important, is to know yourself.
Do not be content with vague ideas about your career objectives. You need
clear ideas about yourself, the career area you are interested in and how
your qualities fit the qualities required by the career.
To actively promote yourself you need to be well aware of your strengths,
skills, abilities, talents and values.
Clarifying your understanding of yourself and your career aspirations is
essential for matching your attributes to those required by your career.
It also makes the whole business of writing curriculum vitae (CV) and
applications much easier.
Research the job
Once you have focused on a suitable career area, you need to begin
researching it. This applies to seeking employment and to looking for
freelance self employed work. You need to understand the career area or the
market that you are attempting to break into.
For example, if you hope to enter advertising and you do not know the
difference between an Account Planner and an Account Handler, the
advertising agency will be able to find hundreds of candidates who do.
Identifying contacts
With a basic knowledge of your chosen career area, you now need to produce
your own targeted contact list. This should contain names and addresses of
people who you can approach for information, advice and possibly a job or
commission. Try to build up information for each contact: contact name,
name of company or organisation, address, telephone and fax number. Also
something about the company: its product or service, special features,
awards, prizes, contracts won.
Possible sources of information include: employer directories, professional
bodies and associations, employer organisations, trade or specialist press,
articles in magazines and newspapers, trade/design/craft fairs,
exhibitions, showings, placements, family and friends, academics, careers
advisers, yellow pages and alumni. There are many more possible sources of
information and the more creatively you think, the more likely you are to
come up with a list of contacts that is unique to you.
Making the first approach
So, you have done your research, you know what you want in the way of a job
or work and you have your list of targets. What happens next?
Letters
A traditional approach would be to send out a speculative letter and your
curriculum vitae (CV) to people on your list. If you are interested in
design work you would also include an example of your work, possibly in the
form of a postcard.
Keep the letter brief, interesting and lively. It could be expensive to
send out a huge mailshot in one go so think about a drip feed
process. It may want to send 10 to 15 letters a week on a regular basis.
Always remember to keep a record of when you contact people on your list.
If you are looking for commissioned, temporary or part time work, it is
also advisable to send out spaced bursts of advertising rather than a large
mailshot. You do not want to run the risk of generating so much interest in
one go that you cannot respond positively. If you turn down work you may
not be asked again.
Faxing
You may like to follow up your initial letters with a fax. This should be
done about a week after your letter. It helps to jog the memory of your
contact that you are out there and taking this seriously.
Email and The Internet
Many occupations are now actively recruiting through the Internet. It is a
good source of information on companies and contacts. It is also a good way
to create and distribute imaginative and dynamic curriculum vitae (CV). To
be useful in promoting yourself, you must have regular and continuing
access to the technology.
Telephoning
Contact by telephone is quick and can be very efficient but it is essential
that you do some preparation. Find out the name of the right person to talk
to, if you do not already have it. You need to get past the receptionist or
secretary and asking for a named person always helps. Secondly, know what
you want from the contact. Prepare a checklist of things you want to say
and things you want to find out.
It is sensible to ask politely if now is a good time for them to speak to
you. If the answer is no, then ask when a good time would be. If you say
you will phone again at a certain time, make sure you do.
Building the network
Creative job hunting requires persistence. You should always record the
date of your initial contact and plan follow up contacts. It may be best to
follow up a letter with a phone call or a personal call with a fax or
email. Vary the methods of approach, but keep them coming. You need to
remind the firm of your existence.
If your contact clearly indicates that he or she will not be able to help
at any time, you could ask them for the name of someone who
may be able to. In this way your network grows and you have a ready made
introduction to the new person. In this context, name dropping is
part of the game.
Study
Link
Andrew Roberts' web Study Guide
Top of
Page
Take a Break - Read a Poem
Click coloured words to go where you want
Andrew Roberts likes to hear from users:
To contact him, please
use the Communication
Form