The Direct Approach Is...

The direct approach is a radically different approach to what many people think of and is now the only way to succeed in today's tough job market. I'm sure you already know that there is so much more to getting a new job or career change than waiting for the right advert to appear, because if you wait, it may never appear or somebody else may get there before you do.

What I want you to understand however, is this: you can make things happen by applying my direct approach which involves doing some careful research and targeting appropriate organizations by putting together a carefully crafted direct approach sales letter.

This type of letter is ten times more likely to get a response than any straight speculative letter that you might be tempted to send out.

You know how some junk mail annoys you, but others you find interesting because it has 'hit the spot' and identified your needs. THIS is what you are going to do now to find a new job. It is also explained in much more detail in my e-book about The Hidden Job Market.

The way I would like you to to think of this direct approach is as being a Direct Marketing Exercise to a specifically qualified target audience – it is NOT a mail-shot and certainly NOT a ‘speculative’ letter that some people would have you waste your time writing. DON'T do it, even if it makes you feel like you've been busy.

Let’s look at that more closely:

Compared to a direct approach,the speculative letter or mail-shot is a waste of time, effort and very often, possible opportunity.

Why The Direct Approach?

Well let's take a look at what is wrong with a speculative approach first:

• The speculative letter type of approach aims to cover as many possibilities as you can, so inherently it’s NOT specific to any particular reader.

• It also labels you as a job-seeker and usually gets sent straight to the Personnel or HR Department (if they have one and it gets past the waste-basket).

• Unless you want to work for the Personnel Department (if they have one) that’s the last place you want your letter to go.

• Mail-shots in general usually have less than 2% response rate so to generate some interest, (even before an interview is offered) you’d have to spend maybe £300 on postage alone.

• This approach at best will bring you what ‘they’ think you should have, NOT necessarily what you want for yourself.

  And the most important reason for NOT using a speculative letter:

• Because you try to cover all the possible employers you make it virtually impossible to approach them in any other way. (Oh yes, you already sent your details didn’t you?)

Go on and read my Hidden Jobs page for when and how you should use the targeted, direct approach to make things happen and find those hidden, unadvertised jobs.

How To Use The Direct Approach?

The Hidden Job Market: With Redundancies and Downsizing On the Increase and Unemployment Rising, The Trick Is to Find Jobs That No-One Else Knows About.

Click Here And Learn How To Find These Hidden Jobs And How You Can Work The Hidden Job Market!

• Be discriminating - it is not a mail-shot;

• Each approach must be tailor-made;

• Your letter must make a business proposition;

• Only contact the person who can take the decision to employ you;

• Research the organisation thoroughly;

• Be businesslike and professional;

• Do NOT include your CV

Before you write your direct approach letter make sure that you:

• Have a specific reason for writing;

• Address your letter to a named individual;

• Make it clear you want a meeting;

• Are prepared to follow-up quickly once sent;

• Be persistent – they need you.

Remember - fail to prepare - prepare to fail

The Hidden Job Market: With Redundancies and Downsizing On the Increase and Unemployment Rising, The Trick Is to Find Jobs That No-One Else Knows About.

Click Here And Learn How To Find These Hidden Jobs And How You Can Work The Hidden Job Market!

Use your skills analysis based on your achievements, together with your personal marketing statements to pack real benefits into your letter; the research you do will show you exactly what proposition you need to develop.

Research pays off and you can research likely targets by using:

• Newspapers

• Journals

• Directories

• network contacts

• annual reports

• company web-sites

• other vacancies that are advertised

Go over to this page and take a look at some free cover letters which you can copy and use, especially the example #8 of a direct approach target letter to an organization which is expanding but has not advertised.

We’ve already said that not all jobs get advertised; you can help the business save money with this approach, and fast-track yourself at the same time.

When a need exists because of…

• expansion or new locations;

• departure or retirement of employees;

• new product launches;

• new markets at home or overseas;

• downsizing (businesses often lose people they’d rather keep;

• changes in legislation.

…somebody has the problem to solve.

You can present yourself as the solution, and so remove their headache.

Use this direct approach as the second main tactic in your overall career change process; your time will be better spent on this and networking than scouring the papers for something to apply for.

Now you understand what I mean by the direct approach, do you think its a radical idea? Or just a good commonsense approach to a problem that many job seekers have?

Although I'm talking here about using a direct letter, remember that there is also tremendous value in using phone power in your job search activities.

You are here: Direct Approach which is 10x better than speculative letter writing.

Go back to the main letter writing page for more cover letter examples.

Remind yourself of what you’re setting out to do, go and review your reasons for your career change.

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Looking for something specific to help write your direct approach letters?

Or an answer to an interview question? A CV or Resume layout? How to start Networking? Or some ideas of your options?

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