We all send out resumes (I assume!), not necessarily in response to an ad for an actual vacancy, but just trying to get into the in tray (and mind)of hirers at the 'right moment'. Personally, I believe I have always written GREAT cover letters but I always posted them as I was terrible at 'cold calling' for work. I don't think I ever got a job from this process alone, although at one company the Production Manager eventually hired me after several years of sending resumes - but only after a friend in their wardrobe department put my name forward when a contracted SM withdrew.
I expect most people here are reading this and going "how stupid is she? Of course you need to follow up..." But does anyone have any tips on the best ways to do this to share with the less experienced or shy amongst us? Or any other thought on making your job search efforts count?
Sometimes just reading other people's ideas is enough to make one screw courage to the sticking point and try something that seems difficult - like hand delivering resumes.
Last year I had to hire a lot of staff; some in response to adverts, some through recommendations and friends and other staff. One of my first appointments was of a person who, when I first received her request for the selection criteria, I wrote off because she lived 3000 kms away and I hadn't expected to attract any applicants from out of town ( or budgeted removal costs). But she kept popping up - she phoned to discuss the role; she sent in a strong application by mail; she phoned again a few days later with the excuse of checking that we had received the application and had some more conversation - in short she made sure she was a 'real person' to us before the phone interview. Of course she also interviewed well or we wouldnt have given her the job, but she sure did everything she could to aid her own chances.
A few months later I heard of a job going that I thought I would like but wasn't sure I would be qualified for. I contacted two or three people who might know the employer and asked what they thought of my chances. One of them happened to be meeting with the employer later that day so I asked him to bring my name into the conversation (which he did). Turned out the employer was actively seeking applicants, not just relying on the advertisements, and she later called me and asked me to apply - the rest is history as it is my current job! I did also make big efforts to do everything you are supposed to do including calling all my referees and telling them about the job and why I thought I would be good for it (turned out one of them had also already suggested me to the employer, oh yes it is a small industry / world) See I have improved!
Even simple things like telling everyone you know that you need work/putting it out there on Facebook might be helpful in the great job search.
Any other ideas people have to share would be welcome.
Yours formerly in endless freelance jobsearch anguish,
ChaCha
