Creative Job Searching

Many jobs are never advertised through the usual media. Some employers choose not to advertise because they receive enough speculative applications to make advertising unnecessary whilst others prefer to use recruitment agencies. Sometimes an organisation might not realise that it could benefit from employing a graduate in a particular role and might therefore be open to persuasion.

Finding contacts

Make use of employer directories. They will tell you an employer's location, size of company, turnover and what they do.

• Prospects
• Kompass
• Kelly’s Employer Directories
• Information Resources - the Employment Section links to company databases and an extensive range of directories held at the Careers Service at 388 Glossop Road.

Getting a foot in the door

This does not mean contacting employers and asking them for a job. You need to be more subtle.

Approaches could include:

• Write, email or ring the employer asking for information about working in their industry. It pays to target your correspondence so do some research on the employer beforehand.
• Send a CV and covering letter then ring a few days later and ask for an appointment.
• Ask the employer if you can work shadow someone. This would usually be for a day or two and would give you valuable information on what the job involves. It could also provide you with further valuable contacts.
• Ask if you could do some short term work experience, even voluntary work. This could be a great way to make a good impression as well as gaining relevant experience.
• Follow up and develop your contacts. Talk to as many people as you can to try and make further useful contacts.

Visit the Careers Service and view the DVD "Can I have a few minutes of your time" which provides useful tips on contacting employers. We also hold the DVD "Looking good on paper" which helps with writing a CV. You should also make use of our books on writing CVs and covering letters.

What are the benefits

At the very least you should be able to find out more about a particular job or employer you are interested in. At best, making and developing contacts will lead you to the job you want.

Options talks and DVDs

We hold two DVDs so you can find out more about working for small and medium sized organisations.