Five tips for cold calling about a job

Five tips for cold calling about a job Five tips for cold calling about a jobPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie ChunMaking cold calls about a job can be very daunting for many people you feel like a pest and its hard to phone someone out of the blue when they havent advertised a job opening but cold calls can be an effective way of making contacts and tapping into the hidden job market.All the usual rules of making job calls apply, but cold calls come with their own set of guidelines.1. Find companies you would like to work forResearch companies and find ones you would particularly like to work for. Choose companies not just for the industry but because they have the right culture for your personality and working style, and would appreciate someone with your skills and abilities. Also choose companies that would offer good career progression and training.2. Find contactsUse company websites, Internet searches and networking sites like LinkedIn to find key contacts who you can ask fo r by name. If you havent been able to find a specific contact, ask to speak to the hiring manager or manager for the department youre interested in.3. Prepare and practiseWrite out your script and practise it multiple times. Its better if you can say it naturally and confidently rather than having to read it verbatim.4. On the phoneBefore launching into your spiel, ask if it is a convenient time to talk. If it isnt, arrange to call at another time that is mora convenient for them. If they have a few minutes, explain that you are very interested in career opportunities at their company, give a brief overview of your background (but keep it short since they werent expecting your call and may not appreciate too much of their time being taken up unexpectedly) and ask if you could make an appointment to come in and speak with someone in person.5. Follow upFollow up with an email containing your resume and cover letter, and thanking them for taking the time to talk with you. With any lu ck, your call and resume will result in an appointment to speak with someone whom you can ask in-depth questions about career opportunities with the company. This meeting will give you an opportunity to describe your professional background, strengths and achievements, why you would like to work for them, and how you could benefit their company. Dont be discouraged if the cold call doesnt immediately seem to lead anywhere, however. The important thing is that youve made contact, and that could come in useful one day. Its all about establishing relationships and expanding your network. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesreal estate job interview questions and answersjob oriented courses in sydneyjob advert for security guardsauditing jobs descriptiona sample job adve rt for a book keeper CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJosie ChunRelated ArticlesBrowse moreStressWork/life balance10 Tips For Managing Your Stress At WorkThe server has crashed, youre filling in for colleagues that are sick with the flu, your boss doesnt seem to have time for your problems and an important deadline is looming. When workplace stress is making you a ticking time bomb, heres what to do.PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTWork etiquetteHow To Apologise Effectively At WorkKnowing when to apologise--and how to deliver an effective apology-is a vital, yet often underrated skill, skill for career success Whether youve missed a deadline or offended a co-worker, check out our tips on how to say sorry and effectively apologise at work.ITWOMENNine reasons to get a job in IT Now has never been a better time to make the jump into the world of coding, hard drives and USB ports. The IT industry is calling.