HOW TO GET A JOB

IN

THESE TOUGH TIMES

My simple job-hunting tips that work

When you've tried all the normal methods, here's how to get a job.
The method is adaptable for your own situation.
It's also adaptable for self-employed people seeking work from local businesses.
In fact the method is equally effective for all sorts of job-hunting - especially for finding local work and for targeting particular employers - whether the economy is in recession or not.
To skip the explanation and introduction - go straight to the method.

why this process works.

This is a proven empowering process.
From the moment you commit to it, it gets you feeling great and productive.
Rather than waiting for opportunities to come to you, or for the economy to improve, this method is simple, easy, and is all about taking direct action.
Employers – most bosses and senior staff - are usually very impressed by this method.
The method says a lot about you - that you are proactive, determined, and brave enough to take initiative rather than wait for things to happen or for some or other help to come along.
This job-hunting method also allows you to break free and get around the frustrations and obstacles that generally stand between job-hunters and job opportunities.
This process works significantly because the vast majority of people who are out of work and struggling to find a job will not try to use it, which includes the majority of people reading this report right now. I am counting on it. They simply lack the #@**^>! If everyone were to use this method it would fail dismally.
This method also effectively defeats the habit-forming feelings of inactivity and low self-esteem arising from being out of work for a long period, which can be a problem when you do meet a potential employer.
When you start to use the method you begin working full time for yourself.
Your job is finding a job for yourself.
And you keep going until you get one.

This job-hunting process is especially effective for:

high unemployment and recession
people who find the usual job vacancies and applications processes very difficult
job-hunters competing with better qualified candidates for advertised job vacancies
job-hunters who are fed up getting nowhere applying to job adverts. and visiting the local job centers.
job-hunters who are fed up being exploited and abused by employment agencies.
job-hunters who want to take control and direct action - instead of listening to useless advice from “ ignorant friends” or government and other institutions who haven't much idea of what's going on in real life.

And while this method works for people of all ages, it's especially effective for young people.
If you want, adapt the process and techniques to suit your own situation.

normal job hunting methods don't work well

The problems faced by many job-hunters - especially during times of economic hardship - are also the reasons that usual job-hunting methods don't work well:

there are too many people chasing too few vacancies - the numbers are stacked against you
there are lots of better-qualified people chasing the jobs you want - graduates chasing lowly jobs, managers chasing supervisory jobs - everyone 'trading down', which squeezes all the more typical candidates for those jobs
simply getting an interview is impossible because of the above
It's a fact, jobs are gone before they are advertised - someone 'in the know' always seems to hear about a vacancy before you, sound familiar?
rejection is demotivational and depressing - which doesn't help you in your job-hunting efforts.
normal methods can make you feel you have no control or influence over your life - also unhelpful for job-hunting
30 million of the population of 50 million something in South Africa ,are unemployed as you are reading this report.

This is a method anyone can use. It's a simple logical process.
Aside from the process itself the main ingredients are determination and a big smile on your face.
Here's the process, first in quick summary, then afterwards in more detail.

Adapt this special job-hunting flyer to fit your own situation.
Make initially about 30 copies of the flyer, because you may want to improve it after first using it.
Personally take the flyer into local businesses/organizations - anywhere that you would be prepared to work.
In each premises, ask the receptionist for his/her help. Explain your purpose (for example, you are determined to find work), and that you'd be grateful if he/she can pass this to the person in charge: i.e., the MD (Managing Director) or Chief Executive (CEO) or branch manager, depending on the type of organization.
It is acceptable to ask the receptionist for guidance about the person in charge - there is no reliable way to guess the boss's job title. See the guide below.
Ideally the flyer should be put into an envelope and the name of the MD/CEO/boss written on the front. Most business receptions will have envelopes, which is a slightly cheeky but acceptable way of saving your own costs. If the receptionist hesitates to agree to forward the flyer to the person in charge, say you'd be equally happy with it being passed to the boss's PA (Personal Assistant) or secretary.
Try to get the receptionist's commitment in ensuring the flyer reaches the boss. This is important, or it could easily be lost.
Keep a note of the company/organization name, and name of the boss, so you are prepared in the event of receiving a call.
Seek feedback from people you meet while doing this. You will find many people are very supportive because you are taking matters into your own hands and being creative in looking for work.
Refine your flyer and test different ideas.
Stay positive and open-minded.
Look smart and presentable. Visual impressions count. You can be called to attend a chat or interview at very short notice.
Plan where you take your flyers to maximize your distribution. Treat it like a full time job. If you do so, you will get responses. The results you produce from this process will reflect the effort you put into it.
If you distribute 50 flyers it is likely you will get at least one response. You should be able to distribute at least 30-50 flyers in a working day. If you plan your calls well, and are fortunate to have lots of employers close together, this figure could be more.
You should get a job before you exhaust all the places you can take your flyers. If you don't, check your flyer and your approach by asking for feedback. Start again. You can return to places you've already visited. Persistence eventually pays. And (according to marketing theory), response rates generally improve with repeat contacts. Why else would we keep getting the same mailshots through our own letterboxes?.. The direct approach inevitably works if you do it often enough.

the free trial period offer

The suggestion to offer a free trial period raises the risk of exploitation.
Certainly if offering a free or very low trial fee you should guard against being cheated or exploited, as far as you can do.
You should also check that you are covered by your employer's insurance, since this might need special arrangement.
If you are not happy to offer to work for free for a week or two, then adapt your offering accordingly.
If you feel you are being cheated at any time, then you should walk away.
Whatever, tough times require creative and determined methods to compete with other job-seekers, and to attract the interest of employers in a highly competitive job-market.
Offering to work for free or a low fee for a trial period signals a faith and confidence, which decent employers will recognize and respect.
Some employers will insist on paying for work, even if it is offered for free.
If you are an employer and you are approached by a job-hunter offering to work for free, and you want to give the person a chance, I would urge you strongly to pay the person a fair rate for their work. It takes courage and faith to make this sort of offering to an employer. Please reward it suitably.
For many job-hunters the fundamental issue to consider is:
What else would you be doing with your time?
If not much, then why not make use of it towards getting a job.

job-hunting method in detail

1. Adapt this special job-hunting flyer to fit your own situation, and make about 30 copies. Importantly see the guide to adapting the flyer.	The key elements of this flyer are: It is clearly and cleanly presented, and very quick and easy to read. Your offer to work a trail period for free, or an alternative competitive offering. A short punchy summary of your experience, capabilities and qualities. Your contact details.
2. Personally walk into the receptions of businesses in an area you where you could work.	Personally visiting employers' premises is a no-nonsense way to connect with organizations, so that you avoid the agencies, job centres, and job adverts that everyone else is chasing. This technique also increases your chances of hearing about new vacancies before other job-seekers. The technique identifies you as being different and more determined than other people, and many employers value this quality - especially bosses of organizations, who will remember having strived in their own early career like you are now doing.
3. In each business, ask for the receptionist's help in getting your flyer to the business chief (MD, CEO, branch manager, etc) or the chief's PA (Personal Assistant).	This is a vital part of the process. Your flyer must reach the boss, or somebody senior in the organization, or it can easily get lost among all the thousands of other pieces of paper which move around organizations every day. Reaching the overall boss (or somebody else senior, if the receptionist thinks so) is important also because many heads of businesses and organizations respond favourably to imaginative individual approaches, whereas recruitment departments tend not to, and don't have time to differentiate. Try to avoid the flyer being passed vaguely to the HR or personnel department, unless the receptionist is confident it will be given special attention. In general the technique works best if the flyer reaches the overall boss. If the boss then passes the flyer to a recruitment department it naturally tends to be treated with more respect.
4. Respond constructively to every opportunity that results.	You can be called to an opportunity very quickly. Sometimes even before you have left the premises. Many receptionists are surprisingly well-connected in organizations. In smaller companies it is not unusual for the receptionist also to be the managing director's secretary. Always be ready to react positively and enthusiastically to any opportunity that arises.
5. Continue to refine and improve your flyer based on results, suggestions and feedback you receive. Make more copies when you need them.	You will receive lots of feedback and support from people - including receptionists - while you are working on this process. People will commend and admire your initiative and determination. This feedback is good for the soul, your self-esteem, and also for refining and improving your flyer and your other techniques, especially the way you engage the receptionists' help in getting your flyer through to the best person. Identify a few places where you can make photocopies at a good price, so that you can replenish your supplies when necessary.
6. Stay positive and happy - you are now working for yourself - full time. Your full time job is finding a job for yourself.	When you commit to this process you will immediately start to feel better about things. You are now working. You are working full time - for yourself - on a campaign to get yourself a job. If you particularly enjoy the 'cold-calling' aspect of the process you could maybe consider a career in selling. There are many different sorts of selling, and cold-calling is the most potent skill of all. It underpins networking and telephone cold-calling, and generally marks out the special people who can make things happen, rather than waiting for someone else to do it. The experience of working with this process will be valuable for many other situations in your life, especially when you come to start your own business. Despite the wonders of the web and modern technology, there is still no better way to make things happen than go directly to people and communicate to them personally, what you want to achieve, and what you can do for them.

rough guide to job titles in organizations

Here's a guide to job roles and titles of bosses of different organizations:

business/manufacturing units on industrial estates - managing director (MD)
public services and institutions - chief executive
branch offices of larger organizations - branch manager, general manager, site manager
shops, retail and leisure outlets - manager, general manager
big independent companies - chief executive (CEO), managing director
small companies, partnerships, sole-traders, professional services - owner, boss, managing partner, principal
educational establishments - principal, head

In most business/organization premises, the receptionist (or first member of staff to greet you) will generally be able to tell you the name and title of the person in charge, provided you ask politely and explain your reason for asking.

JOB HUNTING FLYERS

Fit, reliable, hard- working 25 year-old man looking for work.

I will do anything (legal) For free, for up to 2 weeks.

After that, I'll willingly go on your payroll, or work freelance/part-time for R(whatever) an hour.

I am an experienced (whatever) by trade.

I have also... (list other work experience and any qualifications, e.g., driving licence).

While continuing to seek work (if possible give good reason for not being in work now) I have ......... (list your hobby or passion activities in terms of work-related efforts and skills, and the achievements resulting).

If you need an enthusiastic and capable worker please give me a call.

Your Name

Address line 1

Address line 2-3

Post/code

Email address (if applicable)

Please call me - (your phone number)

or put this on your notice-board, thanks.