Speculative phone calls

DCFC79

iclayt wrote: »

If you're looking for retail, and you've got a shopping centre near you, bring up their website and go through their list of shops (usually by category, if you want to avoid clothes for example) and call 10 of them in order of preference - contact details should be listed, or are easily searched for. Enquire if they have any jobs, you'll be told either a) "No" b) "They're being advertised online" or c) "You need to bring in a CV". List the ones you've called and their responses, keep going until you have a few positive sounding ones to show the Job Gods at your meeting, actually do take in your CV to any who ask for it, and your homework is then complete.

This is what I would have said if it hadn't been said.

Claire_MUFC

Only need to phone 5 more in the morning before my appointment and I've got 10, phoned places in the local shopping centre and got some responses , got names of all people I spoke to , hopefully this kind of thing should keep work programme happy :

1. Memphis Belle
Drop CV in at the bar, or enterance at meeting point and they will get back to me
Name: Scott

2. Card Factory
Get application form in store or off website and drop in
Name: Natalie

3. Pound Bakery
No vacancies at the moment, but if I drop my CV in they will contact me if anything comes up
Name: Cheryl, but she works at another store. Either Becky or Michelle who would deal with it

4. Paperchase
No vacancies at present, fully recruited for christmas
Name: Lee

5. Shoezone
No vacancies at present, may have some around christmas but wouldn't be specific hours or anything, would just be to cover when the store is busy
Name: Dianne

Claire_MUFC

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

On day 1, I would phone 20 Recruitment agencies, and register my details with them.
On day 2, I'd go onto Reed, jobsite and monster, and apply for every job within 20 miles of my house. I'd send 20 applications off minium
On day 3, I'd phone the 20 companies nearest my house http://www.companieslist.co.uk/district-sefton
On day 4, I'd take my CV and take it to 20 shops and offices and factories, and ask for a job.
on day 5, I'd go back on the internet and apply for any new jobs with 20 miles of my house

Ditto every single day of the week.
I'd record all actions taken in a log book.
Print out every covering letter.

You say you don't know where to start.

Start at the front of the phone book if you must, but !!!!!! 10 phone calls is going to take you a max of 30 mins unless you get a bite, so is hardly a challenge. The Challenge is to work a 60 hour week, on finding a job. NEVER stop. Just try a new approach, phone all your friends and ask them to find 5 jobs for you to apply for. Let the people who know or like or love you help you.

Is your CV searchable on every job hunting website ?

The scattergun approach works. Apply for 100 jobs, you'll get 5 interviews, get 5 interviews you'll get 1 second place, apply for 200 jobs, you'll get 15 interviews. and 2 second places. apply for 500 jobs, you'll get 60 interviews and 3 1st places.

10 phone calls ? Pah !!!

This post is actually really helpful, gives me a better way to approach my job search. Thank you

AP007

OP - the one I showed who had jobs???

Claire_MUFC

AP007 wrote: »

OP - the one I showed who had jobs???

Oops, yeah need to add that on to my list. Actually only need 3 more then :T

AP007

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Oops, yeah need to add that on to my list. Actually only need 3 more then :T

What did they say? They have two jobs advertised?!

Prothet_of_Doom

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

This post is actually really helpful, gives me a better way to approach my job search. Thank you

In 2001, I found myself unemployed, and when I went to sign on with my 3 inch thick file they were gob smacked. I'm not sure how long I could have kept the 60 hour week approach up because (and I'm not sure it's not pure luck) my CV ended up on the desk of a guy I'd previously worked with (and argued with about work), and I ended up working for him.

In 2009 I was made redundant, and decided to go Freelance, so every 6 or 9 or 12 months, I'm back looking for a contract, and this is pretty much the approach I use.

I would add,

that if the Recruitment agency advert lists a PERSON, I will find a way of talking to them before I email my CV, usually dropping in that I might be a little over qualified, so wanted to discuss the job, before I waste thier time.
This almost always works.
I also treat the interiew like a sales meeting. I try to find out exactly what they need and really try to practise the examples which prove I can do what they need.
I spend a solid 10 hours on research and preparation before any interview. I stand in front of the mirror and practise the examples out loud. And then I go to bed VERY early the night before. I think I used to sound desperate, and now I sound like If they are lucky, I might come and work for them, but hopefully not too arogant.

Does that all sound arogant ? I hope not. I actually consider myself to be average in my field, a bit lazy, but usually competant and not hard to motivate.

I try not to sound like God's gift, because I'm not and they know it.

jacques_chirac

I'd love to think the OP took on board the excellent advice given by AP007 and PoD and went on to ring twenty or thirty employers ...

Martynb_

I used to do this but 90% of the time the employer would just tell me "If we are looking for workers we would just advertise at the job center".


Sometimes they would just say "Please send your CV and we will keep it on file". I'vve never once been contacted by any company once they've kept my CV on file.

red_devil

The problem is everyone is doing this and companies are bombarded with applications and CVS.