DEVJOBS FEATURE ARTICLES on JOB-HUNTING: Article No. 31

When you think of want ads, think 5% of your campaign, not 95%. Everyone should answer ads--especially those that are a perfect fit, but answering want ads should generally consume no more than 30 minutes of your day. That's because there are so many other, better ways to job-hunt.

If you plan to answer ads, I suggest you develop a "generic" letter that can be mailed quickly by simply changing names and dates. Use this letter to answer most ads. Photocopy your completed letter and clip the ad to your copy so you'll have a record if and when someone calls (they seldom do). Once you mail the original, forget about it. Get back to doing more productive things.

If you find an ad that is 100% perfect, your ideal dream job, take the time to tailor a letter. Find a business directory, look up the name of the hiring manager--not the personnel director--and write that person a sales letter. That's a letter you can follow up, because you have a name.

By the way, if you find that you're not getting any response from ads, don't be discouraged. That's the rule today, not the exception. Few companies even send rejection letters anymore. It's too costly. Keep answering the ads that fit you, and sooner or later, the phone will ring.

The habit of hunting
by Regina Gozar-Posadas

Believe it or not, you can get more mileage from your everyday habits with a little more effort and forethought. For instance, if you like to read the papers, get out of the house, talk to people and log on to the Internet, then focus those seemingly disconnected activities to get more out of them-like finding a job, for one. Here’s how.

If you love to read the news with your morning coffee, remember to note down announcements about job fairs and recruitment events as well.
For a change of pace, interrupt your routine of going to malls or vegging in front of the TV to contact an employment or staffing agency about positions that may be suitable for you. Send your well-written resume so they can call you if anything interesting comes up.
If you spend hours emailing friends or lingering in chat rooms, spare a few moments to post your CV to online job centers or company websites.
And if you’re a social animal, then don’t waste those face times with friends, relatives, former officemates, neighbors, godparents and acquaintances from clubs and sporting events. It won’t hurt mentioning to everyone you know that you’re on the hunt. Who knows? One or two of them may be able to set you up for an interview or refer you to a prospective employer.
And while you’re at it, inform your former teachers and classmates at class reunions that you’re on the market. While reminiscing in the hallways, visit the university placement office to see the latest work listings, or check for on-campus recruitment activities scheduled in the near future.

Of course, nothing beats looking for work full time. But no one says you have to limit your search boundaries to formal hunting occasions. By staying sharp always, you’ll find that opportunities lurk even in what seem to be the most mundane situations or unrelated events.