Career Success Guide

Job Searching - Prospecting

PROSPECTING JOB SEARCH METHODS

Important Make sure you are prepared for interviews. Review interviewing materials in this guide or on our StoutCloud site, do a virtual mock interview with Big Interview (login on Handshake or StoutCloud), or complete the Interviewing Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning. Attach a copy of your resume with each e-mail you send. If you need help with your resume, attend a resume writing workshop, review the resume writing materials in this guide or on our StoutCloud site and complete the Resume Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning.

If you follow all these steps, along with all the other rules of job hunting (phone manners, dressing for success and thank you letters) you’ll find prospecting to be a successful method in your overall job search strategy. If you have any questions or need

The “prospecting” method is a proven method of finding jobs. When you consider that many jobs are never advertised or are “hidden,” meaning you can’t find out about available opportunities unless you dig or “prospect” for them, this job hunting tool takes on great importance. This method is quite effective if you follow all the steps.

assistance with your job search

Compile a list of all employers that you might be interested in working for. You can gather this list of employers by focusing on a specific geographic area, a specific industry, a list of top employers or similar related group. Check out our employer list in Handshake or visit buzzfile.com/edu to help you find employers. Gather the names of the people who have the power to hire you. This is usually the head of the department or owner if it is a small company. This is accomplished by using your network or calling each employer’s main number and asking for the name of the department head or owner. Write a targeted email to inquire if there is a position available. The email should show how your qualifications align with those an employer is seeking. Check out similar job postings, the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*NET Online. For information on how to write cover letters, attend a resume writing and cover letter workshop, review the cover letter materials in this guide or on our StoutCloud site, and complete the Cover Letter Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning. In 7 to 10 days, call the individuals you wrote to in Step 3. For many people, this step is the hardest. The purpose for calling is to see if they received your materials and to see if they have any questions regarding your inquiry. Your goal should be to get as many interviews with potential employers as possible. Be persistent even if you are not getting as many interviews as you like or individuals are less than hospitable. Don’t give up, just move on to the next call.

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feel free to make an appointment with a Career Coach.

How to Determine When to Follow-Up with an Employer • Consider application due date • Check in application system to see status • Did you ask next steps in the interview?

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