Good Morning Folks
I hope you're all well. I have been unemployed for a while and although I have applied to numerous vacancies, I haven't had much success.
You will probably have heard of the fact that only 20% of the jobs get advertised whereas the other 80% of the jobs are found in the 'hidden' job market. With this in mind, would it be a good idea to send speculative letters with a copy of my cv, to local employers by going through, perhaps, the yellow pages directory?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Most of the full time jobs I have had started by working for the company through an agency. Definitely worth thinking about.
The current company was a little different. I had been unemployed for a number of years due to a disability and was getting no where. I mentioned on LinkedIn I was thinking of giving up trying to get a job in housing when someone recommended I speak to another person who was working on a project to get disabled people into housing. I did a two years training with them, then 12 months on fixed term contract before getting a full time job with them.
The other way I have got jobs was through personal recommendations from people I have worked with and the person or company have called me to ask if I was interested.
If you want in on the hidden job market the key is in networking with others.
I'm not a huge fan of speculative letters, I have done hundreds of these - they are a favourite for companies paid to help you get back into work - and have only ever received one reply, about 8 months after I sent it for a temporary contract lasting a few months. Which I was grateful for.
Where they might be useful is when you hear of a company planning to expand. But knowing who to send it to can make a huge difference.
Good luck.
Thanks OddFather