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Say I'm new to an area and have few contacts and networking opportunities to take advantage of. Simultaneously, I also have negligible marketable skills. Would cold-calling smaller businesses who may not have much in the way of formal hiring practices be advisable? In 'What Color is Your Parachute' the author has been saying for years now that it's actually one of the most effective ways to find work, but has anyone here actually successfully done this within the past say, 5 years? If so, how did it work out for you, and what kind of job did you get?
Use anything and everything that successfully helps you obtain employment.
Prior to calling, research the company to find out what they do, and what their latest news is. Three questions to ask based on your research:
Will you fit well in this company
Does a position already exist you can apply for
Or
Can a best fit position be created for someone with your skills and talents
If you can readily answer yes to any of these questions; then cold calling this type of prospective employer may lead to you landing a meeting or interview that may lead to a job offer or a position being created.
Good luck in all of your pursuits and endeavors; and here's to you finding and landing your dream job. And if this works for you, come back to report and share your success!
With 'negligible marketable skills" (your words) even if you cold call employers, you aren't going to appeal to them as you have very little to offer them. It would be better for you to build up your skill sets by working at lower wage jobs and going to school until your are able to present a solid package (being yourself and your skills) to a potential employer.
In easier economic times or in an "boom" area, no having many skills would be far less of a hindrance than it would be right now or the foreseeable future. If you plan on moving to a boom area, then you might be able to cold call your way into interviews. Outside of that, you are going to need skills for the majority of employers to bother having any interest in you.
I think it depends upon your field and what sort of position you're trying to get. I could see how it might work for something like sales.
I don't know anyone who has ever landed a professional job via cold calling. I have vague memories of a former college roommate cold-calling all of the stores at the mall to find out who was hiring, and she did wind up applying at a few of those stores and one ultimately hired her, though.
With 'negligible marketable skills" (your words) even if you cold call employers, you aren't going to appeal to them as you have very little to offer them. It would be better for you to build up your skill sets by working at lower wage jobs and going to school until your are able to present a solid package (being yourself and your skills) to a potential employer.
In easier economic times or in an "boom" area, no having many skills would be far less of a hindrance than it would be right now or the foreseeable future. If you plan on moving to a boom area, then you might be able to cold call your way into interviews. Outside of that, you are going to need skills for the majority of employers to bother having any interest in you.
Well, I'm exaggerating a bit. I have skills that are a dime a dozen - I can be a file clerk, a receptionist or administrative assistant... given the opportunity. I've been told I'm a decent writer, and it doesn't take me long to get the hang of a new software program. Right now, I'm a burnt out call center employee desperate for the opportunity to escape. I already have a Bachelors, and I've been trying to make my way in the world, to no avail. My area is not a "boom" area, but it's not busted either - I'm in TX, but I was only able to find my current position after the recession thawed.
This is totally one of the best ways to find a new position. And you hit the nail on the head by targeting smaller companies. It was more than five years ago, but I did this exact same thing and landed three interviews and one job offer. The thing is, smaller companies aren't all about this do everything online BS. Which I loathe BTW.
I was working a large insurance broker and found out our department was going to close. I scheduled a day off, pulled up a list of insurance agencies, brokers and carriers in the my county and got on the phone. I was polite, introduced myself and explained that I was interested in submitting my resume and wanted to know if they had any vacancies.
As luck would have it, quite a few of the companies had vacancies but weren't really advertising or looking for candidates. By the end of that week, I put in my notice and got out before they started handing out pink slips.
If you see a position you like online, apply online and then put a nice suit and show up to "just drop it off in person and see where the office is located"... If someone is available to speak with you, they will. You can also try to get a contact name, email, direct number, business card or anything else that will get your foot in the door.
I hope this helps Selena. Always keep in mind, you don't get what you don't ask for.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I had a small business for 16 years, and never hired anyone that way. In fact it was annoying when people called. Think about it. Do you like getting telemarketers when you are eating dinner? It's the same for a business owner trying to get some work done interrupted by people, whether to sell insurance or faster internet, or looking for a job. When I needed someone I would announce an opening and people could apply.
When I moved to a place and needed work I cold called places, many places. This was in the late 1990's though. I didn't do much calling on the telephone, I went to the physical locations. Walked right in and introduced myself to whomever was there, gave them my resume and asked for what I wanted (in a nice way) - I told them my name, that I was looking for work, asked if they were hiring, and regardless of what they said I asked to meet with someone else about work.
I did not get a job that way. But it was a great experience and to me, was worth doing. It was hard at first but helped me gain confidence, speak well to people, practice my "pitch", and it got me out and about roaming the street with a nice suit and positive attitude. I thought it helped to build my persona and made me someone who was better able to connect with people.
Best of luck in your search.
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