How do you search for a job?

• The local or national press job pages
• The job centre
• Recruitment agencies (often listed in Yellow Pages)
• Speculative approach

It is a fact that up to 70% of jobs are never advertised. The truth is, advertising costs employers money and they have to wait for a response. A lot of vacant positions need to be filled very quickly.

These jobs are often filled in either of two ways.

• Choose someone you know, or
• Someone who has made a speculative approach

Staying in touch with family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances often leads to useful information about vacancies.

Speculative approaches are increasingly popular. This involves contacting prospective employers even though they have not specifically advertised a vacancy. This can be done by writing or phoning them.

Aim your CV and covering letter to a decision making individual within the organisation. Try local business directories and the Internet. Employers will often hold your details on file and should a vacancy arise, they already have your credentials.

This saves them the job of sifting through masses of other candidates after having to advertise. This a good way of beating the opposition!

Don't be nervous about contacting an employer this way.

The worst they can do is say no.