The Easy 10 Step Job Hunting Guide

by James C. Gonyea

STEP 6 - IDENTIFY TARGET EMPLOYERS

OK, now it's time to identify your “job hunting targets” - specific employers where you think you might like to work. To accomplish this, you will use a number of strategies listed below. Remember, most job openings are never announced to the general public! Therefore, a target could be an employer that has publicly announced a job opening for a position that you want, but will more-than-likely be an employer who has an opening but has not announced it to the public. This second type of employer represent what is often referred to as the “hidden job market.” Caution: Don't just look for advertised positions as you will then miss most of the employment opportunities that actually do exist.

Your objective is to gather the following information on each employer that you identify:

1. Company name:

2. Address:

3. Phone number:

4. Web address:

5. Type of business:⁽¹⁾

6. Product or service line:

7. Hiring contact:⁽²⁾

8. Advertised position: yes no
   Title:
   Date:
   Source:

Notes:

(1) Type of business = retail clothing store, high school, hospital, bank, etc.

(2) Hiring Contact = this is the name of the person who is in charge of the department in which you would like to work. This is usually not the Human Resource Manager or Personnel Director. If necessary, call the company to determine. Caution: When calling, do not indicate that you're looking for employment, just indicate that you need the name of the person in charge of the (xyz) department. Otherwise, the receptionist may give you the name of the HR or Personnel Director.

There are several strategies that you can use to find companies and organizations that are worthy of your consideration as possible employers. The more strategies you use, the better your chances of finding employment, and the less time it will take you.

Networking

Contact your family members, friends, and professional colleagues and ask them if they are aware of companies that can meet your job hunting objectives.

Support Group

Ask members of your support group to use their networks to identify employers that may be able to meet your job hunting objectives.

Direct Contact

Using any list of employers, such as the telephone Yellow Pages, call companies directly and inquire about employment. Don't like cold calling! Think again, this is the number one way in which people find employment!

Review Classified “Help Wanted” ads

Monitor on a weekly basis “help wanted” ads that are posted in the classified section of newspapers, or in magazines and trade journals that service your desired industry or geographical preference. Also, buy a directory of Internet websites at a bookstore, and then visit several online job banks to view employment ads. See our Career & Employment Websites Guide for a list of websites.

Employment Recruiters

Register with a few employment recruiters (i.e. Headhunters) that specialize in placing people in your chosen career field. You can find appropriate recruiters by obtaining a book called “Directory of Recruiters” (Kennedy Publications), or by visiting our Recruiters & Placement Agencies database or www.recruitersonline.com.

College Placement Office

Contact your college placement office and ask for a current listing of job opening announcements. Many colleges and universities maintain such lists as a free service to students and graduates.

State Employment Service

An obvious place to look for employment is at your local State Employment Service office. Many of the state services maintain “Career Centers” where you can obtain a wide variety of information and assistance.

Job Hunting Support Groups

Do some research to find job hunting support groups in your community. If they exist, they have more-than-likely advertised their existence with local career and employment services, libraries, school and colleges, and newspapers - contact these organizations and ask if they are aware of any job hunting support groups. Then join these groups and you'll have access to their resources, which often includes job leads.

Professional Associations and Unions

If you are a member of any professional association or union, contact them and ask if they publish employment notices. Many associations and unions compile such data for their members.

Job Hotlines

Thousands of employers nationwide maintain phone numbers where you can call to learn about employment openings. An excellent source of such information is the “National Job Hot Line Directory” published by Planning/Communications. See our Career Bookstore to purchase a copy.

Job Notices via Email

When you're visiting job banks online, pay attention to those that offer to email you employment notices. Follow the directions at these websites to register for this service, then watch your email daily for job leads.

Directions for completing this step:

Using as many of the strategies listed above as possible, prepare a list of employers where you think you might like to work - this is your list of “targets.” After completing this step, move to Step 7.

© 2001 James C. Gonyea.  All Rights Reserved
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