How
to identify a company to cold call
Newspapers - From a different perspective
These have
already been discussed in
Find a Job.
You can use the
newspaper employment section to find a company who may have a job in your
area. The advertisement will probably show the Recruitment Officer’s name. However, don’t canvass them while
they are busy with that particular recruitment drive.
Look at
all the vacancies, not just positions in your area. Many jobs for
managers and executive staff will give a good overview of the company and
they may have jobs in your area.
Other
sources for cold calling research includes: -
·
The
Internet - Most companies are online
·
Company
Profiles/Business Reports – usually available through the company's office
·
If it a
listed company you can find information at the Stock Exchange
·
Employer
Associations.
·
Unions
Government websites. Refer to
Employment
Opportunities for the full list.
Ensure
the company is one
you want to work for
Remember that all companies, and some more than others, have an
organisational culture that is results driven. You need to be able to fill a
need within that company. This is why research is so important.
If you are
quiet and just like to get on with your job and have other qualities like
experience, consistency and reliability, you need to ensure you do not apply
to companies who are results driven to an extent that all employees are
required to be “go getters”.
Don’t try and be what you are not. It will
become apparent during the interview or during the three-month trial period,
which will result in extreme disappointment and loss of self-esteem if they
do not keep you on after the trial.
It all
comes down to you knowing your weaknesses and strengths.
Some skills can be
learned and if it is important to you and you think you can benefit by
further training or personal development, then you should consider investing
in your future.
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Cold
Calling Letters
Cold
calling letters must have these components.
·
A purpose
·
Contribution you can make
·
Your
qualifications and experience
·
Ask for an
interview
Note: Your
resume must back up your application. The employer must be able to see in
your resume, the knowledge, skills and experience that are relevant to the
job. If you are changing your career you resume should still be relevant,
however, the cover letter should spell out how your skills are transferable
to the position you are seeking. The companies you are cold calling must be
researched and well targeted, otherwise it becomes a meaningless operation.
The
purpose of a cold canvassing letter
· Is to get the employer to meet you in the
event that positions may become available in the future.
·
Do not ask
the if the company has any positions vacant at the present time
Always use
an active voice rather than a passive voice. i.e. “I can”” I have” “I am
capable of” Avoid “I am reasonably” ” I should/will be able to”.
Employers
are afraid of committing themselves and may get you in for “a chat”.
If they like you they will either refer you on or retain your details for
future jobs. Treat this as a job interview. Because it appears to be
a casual chat, do not be tempted to divulge information or facets of your
life that you wouldn’t want an employer to know, i.e. talk in detrimental
terms about your former employers and colleagues, your previous company’s
policies or financial position or your plans to travel or retire.
Who do
you address the
letter to?
Your cold
canvassing letter should be addressed to the Section Head if appropriate.
This will depend on the company as many sections of a company operate
independently or the Recruitment Officer or Human Resource Manager. This
will require a phone call to find out the name of the appropriate person and their
title.
Note:
In many cases the Recruitment Officer is the last option. Many are only
interested in positions that they advertise and do not look at future needs,
or may not be well informed about potential human resource needs. Whereby,
for example, a Section Manager or Project Manager may be in a better position to evaluate your
potential and they know what human resources they will need in the future.
This is relevant for any work that has
been tendered for Mining and Engineering companies.
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