<p>Trying to find a good job (i.e. in my specific area of expertise, not too far a commute). Am gearing up to send out 200+ resumes—targeted to firms that have at least a percentage of business in what I do/have done—but which have not advertised looking for help.</p>
<p>Just wondered if this was good strategy? It seems kind of preferable to responding to the various Craigs List & Careerbuilder postings along with hundreds of other people, and which are often not a great match for my interest/skills.</p>
<p>Then again—in this economy—is it futile to do this traditional approach, and better to rely on places that have actually said they need people?</p>
<p>This is going to take lots of effort, time & $ (postage, if done the old-fashioned way).</p>
<p>If I hear that it’s likely going to be a waste, I’ll reconsider…</p>
<p>Jolynne, every job hunting book I’ve read and every recruiter I’ve talked to advised against resume carpet bombing - 99.999% of these do end up in the waste basket (or in the deleted items folder).</p>
<p>Only blind resumes (ALONG WITH ACCOMPANYING DATA) from known sources can be counted as legit. Employers know this. </p>
<p>Be advised, if you post your resume on anyone of the job boards some unscrupulous headhunter/bodyshop will copy it, strip your contact info, and then broadcast it via the net and fax while presenting it as “a client”.</p>
<p>I do not believe the blanket resume approach would be useful. I would focus on contacts. If you are doing temp work, you may be coming into contact with people in your field. Tell everybody you meet that you are looking for permanent work if you can casually work it into the conversation. Mention your job hunt to friends, old work contacts, your alum network, etc.</p>
<p>I guess maybe I misstated it…there would be some attempt to make a personal contact. It was suggested that I target resumes to graduates of my law school. Recently I also even sent a cover letter mentioning that the partner & I shared a (not common) ethnic heritage [he called me back, invited me to lunch & we chatted, he even suggested I add my specialty to his firm…although no job ultimately came of it]). </p>
<p>I guess I didn’t mean totally blind; moreso that a significant factor was that they had not advertised seeking applicants. </p>
<p>Btw, appreciate the tip re: the job boards. That made me nervous, posting so much identifying info. A friend even suggested that sending off your ‘life story’ via resume to a blind Craig’s List posting was risky.</p>
<p>I’ve actually had some success sending emails to targeted lists. Short and sweet with NOTHING attached (folks so scared of viruses - for good reason).<br>
Have you set up a profile on LinkedIn? I find it’s a great way to find old colleagues and contacts. Send a personalized note when you invite them. And if they respond with a personal note back - you can tell them you’re looking. Maybe ask some to post a recommendation for you too.
The other strategy I’ve been told about (and shared with my son) is to follow up an online application with a letter and resume. You have to do some detective work to get a contact name but it’s worth it. Research show folks who do this have a better “hit” rate for getting called in on interviews. </p>
<p>I’ve actually got some responses from LinkedIn (some former law school classmates, former attny’s I worked for during law school).</p>
<p>A few have suggested we ‘get together’ but I feel cheesy calling them & suggesting a meet-up. Seems like since I’m job-hunting, they’ll think I’m hitting them up for leads/jobs (um, I am, in addition to the social thing).</p>
<p>I guess one has to get over that sort of reluctance…</p>
<p>Turn about will be fair play one day. You’ll be the one with the job and the contacts and you may be able to help them or someone they know.</p>
<p>You may feel more comfortable not asking them for a job directly, but using them as a source of information, the lay of the land. They may not know of anyone or any position right now, but will be on the lookout should something pop up.</p>
<p>Thanks, that’s a good approach. I’d kind of hoped that I could ask, “know anyone hiring?” and maybe that wouldn’t be too much. I’m thinking it would be okay, as you said.</p>