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Preparing Yourself for Your Job Search

Job Search Strategies

If you ever have opened the Sunday paper in search of a job, you probably became frustrated quickly with the lack of positions. Research estimates that only 15-20 percent of all positions ever are advertised formally. Combine that with the number of applicants looking for jobs and you have a difficult situation. Taking an active approach to the search process is essential. As Tom Jackson notes, "It is not the most qualified persons who get the best jobs; it is those who are most skilled at finding a job." Below are summaries of a number of job search techniques. Although different methods prove successful in different fields, it is important that you combine several of these methods in your search and put a great deal of time and energy into them.

You also will need to know what you want to do before you begin looking. Students without defined career goals tend to have longer, more frustrating searches and may end up in positions in which they are not happy. If you are not sure what you want to do, come by University Career Center for help.

Advertisements.

This is one of the most popular methods and certainly worth using to some extent. However, as already noted, few positions are advertised! Sources of job advertisements include Sunday newspapers from the city where you would like to work, professional and trade journals (subscribe to the one for your field!), job leads newsletters (available at University Career Center), the Internet, and college placement offices (here at VCU and at other colleges whose career resource centers are open to the public -- call to find out). Since many people may be responding to these advertisements, it is essential that you develop an effective resume and cover letter.

Mass Mailing.

A mass mailing entails sending the same letter to many potential employers, for example, to all advertising agencies in the northeast. You can make a lot of contacts with this method, but sending a "form letter" tends to get a very low response rate. This method may be more effective if you are able to use a word processor in order to individualize the letters. However, you probably will be better off using the targeted mailings approach discussed later.

Government Listings.

State, federal and local governments are required by law to post their openings, so you won't have the dilemma of unadvertised openings. However, competition may be stiff and there may not be a large number of positions in your field. With Richmond being the state capital, there are a number of state jobs in this city and they are advertised weekly in "Recruit." "Recruit" and "Federal Jobs Digest," as well as local city and county government listings, are available in the Career Center.

Employment Agencies.

Employment agencies do much of the work for the job seeker, but if you use them, you will want to do a few things:

• Make sure they work in your area of interested in (they tend to specialize).
• Be sure you are aware of any financial obligations on your part before you sign anything.
• Be assertive about the kind of positions you do and do not want. Registering with a temporary agency (assignments with these can last a few days or a few months) may be one avenue for making some money while you are looking for a permanent job, as well as being an avenue for
• obtaining permanent employment with the organization.

Targeted Mailings and Telephoning.

This technique involves marketing yourself through a limited number of contacts. It requires a great deal of research and planning, but it tends to be an effective search strategy. The steps to take in employing this method:

1. Develop a prospect list. Through the use of professional directories, professional associations, yellow pages, newspaper articles, etc., make a list of the organizations where you most would like to work.
   
   
2. Research the organization. Find out as much as you can about the organization (clientele, future trends, etc.). Some sources of research information: the Career Center; Cabell and Tompkins-McCaw libraries, public libraries, and articles from papers and journals. Also, most employers will have some type of annual report, promotional literature or brochure. You usually can obtain a copy simply by stopping by their location or by telephoning.
   
   
3. Call for the name and title of the person who heads the department where you want to work. The receptionist may not put your call through to that person, but you will be able to get the person's name and address (which is all you need at this point).
   
   
4. Write a targeted cover letter to that person. By writing an individualized letter to the person who could hire you, you are increasing your chances of getting a positive response. Your cover letter should emphasize your relevant skills and your research about their organization. Come by the Career Center for samples of effective cover letters and read about Job Search Correspondence in Strategies.
   
   
5. Follow-up with a phone call. Wait until the person has had time to receive your letter, then call to ask about arranging an interview time. Although the person may not have any positions open at that time, at least you will know the status of your application and may be able to elicit more information. It will be helpful to plan what to say and to get organized before the call.

Networking

Although this method is not initially appealing to most students, the reality is that many professions operate through informal "networks." Because of the "hidden job market" of positions that are never advertised, it is helpful to make contacts with people who might know of position openings. Remember that these people will not be giving you a job, but may be able to give you valuable information and job leads. This method is time consuming, requires preparation, and is often difficult for new professionals to undertake. However, research shows that many jobs are found through this technique. Some guidelines for using personal contacts effectively:

1. Develop a list of possible contacts. These should be people who are in your field or who may know someone in your field. You may be able to find these contacts through
   • professional associations
   • friends
   • family
   • professors
   • past employers
   • the Alumni Career Advisers Network at the Career Center
   
   
2. Initiate contact through a letter or a phone call. It is best to start with the easy contacts! If you don't know them at all, a letter of introduction is nice; otherwise a phone call will suffice. In your letter or phone call, you should introduce yourself, say how you got their name and state your purpose (information on the field and possible opportunities - not a job!). Your letter should ask for about 30 minutes and indicate when you will call to set up a time.
   
   
3. Prepare for your informational interview. Do this by researching the organization that person works for and by planning some questions to ask. Remember that this is not a job interview and so the responsibility for guiding the conversation is yours. You will want to ask questions both about the field ("Describe some of the typical duties.") and about the job search process ("What is the best way to find out about openings in this field?").
   
   
4. Make a good impression by being punctual, dressing appropriately, bringing a resume with you and by not abusing the interview.
   
   
5. Send a thank-you note expressing your appreciation and indicating something specific that you learned. By conducting some informational interviews and using this network of professional contacts, you can hope to uncover some job openings as well.

Internal Campaigning.

This technique consists of getting into an organization through volunteer work or taking another position with the company. This does give you a foot in the door and some experience; you also will know of any openings that become available. However, it is time consuming and you don't want to get stuck in a position that doesn't suit you. It is probably best to try other methods first and use this one only if it is proving very difficult to find work in your field.

Cold Calls.

Cold calling involves showing up in person without an appointment and is often called "pounding the pavement." It may be an effective method, particularly for visual artists with portfolio in hand, but it can be time consuming and frustrating if employers do not have the time to see you when you show up. You may want to try writing or calling first to set up an appointment.