| Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You | | | | otherwise have heard about. Their personal referral |
| pour a cup of coffee and open the paper to the | | | | can also make an impression on the employer in your |
| employment section. With a mixture of anticipation and | | | | behalf. |
| desperation you pick up a stub of pencil and prepare | | | | NON-POSTED JOBS |
| to target and identify some possible job opportunities. | | | | You don't have to wait for a job to be listed in the |
| There are less ads to circle this morning and despite | | | | paper, or even posted on the company board, to apply |
| the promising words and vague descriptions you have | | | | for work at a company. |
| begun to believe that none of these potential | | | | Go through the phone book and make a list of |
| employers will seriously consider you. Perhaps they | | | | companies you'd like to work for. Call and ask if there |
| have family or friends or maybe you'll hear once again | | | | are any positions available. Ask for the name of the |
| "I'm afraid you're overqualified for this position". | | | | human resources manager or the individual in charge |
| After making a few phone calls you try to get into a | | | | of hiring for the area you are applying to. |
| positive frame of mind. You head out the door, a folder | | | | Send a resume and direct it to the person in charge of |
| of resumes in one hand and a list of addresses at the | | | | hiring. Write a cover letter that expresses your interest |
| next. You will drop off a few resumes and have plans | | | | in the company and why you'd like to work for them. |
| for an interview this afternoon. | | | | Follow up several days later and ask for the individual. |
| Maybe today will be different... | | | | Tell them you're checking to see that they received |
| Are you or a friend looking for work? Have you heard | | | | your resume and ask if there are any positions that |
| of acquaintances laid off from long-term employment | | | | may become available. |
| only to find four or five months later that they are still | | | | If they are not hiring suggest you'll check back at |
| unable to find a job? | | | | another time. Often positions are made available |
| If you think the only way to find a job is to have | | | | unexpectedly and by keeping in contact (without |
| connections, you may be partly right. With such a | | | | pestering) you may be the first person that comes to |
| demand for employment many jobs never make it to | | | | mind. |
| the paper. How can you compete? | | | | This is not a secret. If you're not taking advantage, |
| NETWORKING | | | | someone else will. You can't afford to miss out on |
| "Leave no stone unturned". Tell friends, family and | | | | making yourself known to employers BEFORE the job |
| acquaintances of your job search. These people can | | | | posting is made public. |
| give you an 'IN' to their businesses when positions | | | | Accessing this hidden job market may open up |
| come available. | | | | opportunities you never thought possible. By staying |
| They may also hear of someone who is hiring and | | | | one step ahead of other job searchers you can be |
| keep you updated on opportunities you may not | | | | sure that your new job is just around the corner! |