If you are finding that advertised vacancies are not as plentiful as you’d hoped, then it might be time to try a different approach. Have you heard of networking/creative job search? This is when you make direct contact with an employer(s) in the field(s) you are interested in, with the goal of making a good impression and researching possible opportunities. We suggest this to job searchers frequently as it often pays off, but in the current climate it is an essential job-hunting tool.
Networking for some people has connotations of nepotism etc- but it really is a lot more complex than that! Research shows that approximately 60% of graduate job seekers gain employment through this method, which is a very high proportion. This means it’s worth a go. Many employers are feeling the pinch at the moment so are trying to economise by not placing costly adverts in national newspapers. Remember too that in some sectors jobs are not advertised via traditional methods so having contacts in relevant areas may be your best way of finding out about opportunities. So how do you go about it?
If you have a particular career in mind then this makes the process a bit more manageable as you can focus solely on making contacts in that sector. There are many sources of specialist information out there, it’s just a case of finding out which ones are appropriate to you. You could try reading through industry journals; looking for information provided by professional bodies; or checking out what sector skills councils may have to offer in terms of support, short courses etc. Look at the contacts and resources sections of the individual job profiles and industry insights on www.prospects.ac.uk- there’s a wealth of information in there. Also think about who you may know already that you can approach-it’s amazing how if you sit and think about it there are probably some friends, contacts and relatives who either work in the field or at least know someone who does..
Making direct approaches need not be a scary process; there is some good advice on how to write a suitable cover letter and CV in our Networking handout see http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/careers/job-huntingandworkexperience/findingwork/networking/
Even if it only results in a chat/email correspondence or better still some work shadowing with an employer about the job/profession, you’ll still be more informed than you were at the beginning. The main thing to remember is that being proactive is the key to success in this approach; be organised, systematic and professional in all interactions with prospective employers and you will hopefully find that doors will start opening.
For further tips on how to go about this look at this link: http://www.grb.uk.com/hidden_job_market.0.html
Good luck in your endeavours and remember “nothing ventured nothing gained”!
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