Contacting employers directly

Contacting employers directly allows you to tap into that large percentage of the job market where jobs are not advertised and tend to be obtained through friends, relatives, individual contacts, and speculative applications.

Sometimes approaching an employer directly can not only help you find out more about a job or industry that interests you, but may lead to a job opportunity.

"After finishing high school I had a yarn with some forest managers, and decided it would be a good idea to get some experience to see if forestry was for me. I figured I would go out pruning for a year. It was tough work, but I’m always coming back to what I learned on the slopes."

Andrew Costello, Forrester

How to contact employers directly

You can contact employers by:

• completing an application form
• making a phone call
• writing a speculative letter 
• filling out an Internet application.

These letters, forms or phone calls are the first chance you have to impress the employer, so make sure you take time to prepare.

Preparing to contact employers

To identify businesses, employers or industries you'd like to work for, use resources such as:

• the Internet
• the Yellow and White Pages of the phone book
• the business and 'situations vacant' pages of newspapers
• trade/industry magazines
• your own contacts.

Research businesses, employers and industries by:

• phoning and asking for company promotional material or visiting their website
• reading any business promotional material
• driving/walking past the business to see what impression you get.

Contacting employers

Speaking to someone in person is the best way to get your foot in the door with an employer.

• Phone the human resources/recruiting division of the organisation - ask the receptionist for the name of the appropriate person first.
• Ask about job opportunities in general, even if they are not recruiting at the time.
• Try to secure a 15 to 20-minute appointment to enable you to get information about the organisation and, more importantly, so they remember you when they are looking for new staff.

If you don’t get to meet with your contact, try writing a letter or email.

• Send a covering letter or email with your CV attached, highlight the tasks, functions or job titles you wish to be considered for. Note factors from your background, experience or education you want them to be aware of.
• Ask for an opportunity to obtain more in-depth knowledge of the organisation through a short interview or extended visit.
• If you have not had a response to your email or letter after 10-14 days, call the employer. Ask that your name be kept on file if no opportunities are currently available.
• Keep a record of all contacts made that includes: date, name, address, telephone number of firms and contact person, main points in your letter, telephone follow-up, results/comments.
  

Questions to ask prospective employers

When you do get to meet an employer, you have a great opportunity to ask a whole range of questions.

Examples of general questions: 

• What kinds of people do you recruit?
• What do you look for in new recruits?
• What kinds of work experience do people have coming into this role/organisation?
• What skills are needed in this role/organisation?
• How often do you recruit?
• What personal qualities do you look for?

Examples of job-specific questions:

• What would I do in this job?
• What skills and training would I need, or have to get?
• What training would I be given? 
• Are there any special requirements for entering this job?
• What would the career opportunities/prospects be?
• How often do job vacancies come up?
• How do you go about hiring people in this job?