The Direct Approach...

Using a direct approach with my letter of interest template is a radically different approach to what many people think of and is now one of the best ways 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. Direct action opens doors.

• Go to the Letter of Interest Template on this page.

• See the example direct approach letter at the bottom of this page.

Let me show you how to take charge and make things happen.

What I want you to understand, 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 using my letter of interest template 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. 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.

Direct Approach Letter of Interest Template

Enlarge this image to read or print: Letter of Interest Template

How To Use The Direct Approach?

With redundancies and downsizing on the increase and unemployment rising, the trick is to how to find hidden jobs that no-one else knows about, with redundancies and downsizing on the increase and unemployment rising, finding unadvertised jobs is a crucial skill.

As an expert job search consultant i am about to reveal my secret tactics of how to find hidden jobs and unadvertised vacancies: so don't believe anyone who says there are no jobs.

With redundancies and downsizing on the increase and organizations cutting back on their advertising dollars, it's easy to think that no opportunities exist any more.

I am going to show you that is simply NOT TRUE - with the direct approach method, you are in control.

Learn 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

Use your skills analysis based on your achievements, together with your personal marketing skills and presentation statements to pack real benefits into your letter of interest template; 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?

Direct Approach Letter For A Targeted Approach

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12 Sandy Lane
Northampton
Northants
NN8 1QE

Mr Simon Lanstone
Managing Director
Blankwell Corporation Limited
1 Rockington Lane
Northwellington
Northants
NN7 2TA

16 November 2011

Dear Mr Lanstone

With more than ten years experience in Sales and Marketing in the widget industry, I have successfully launched and promoted several new products. I am writing to you concerning my interest in the Blank Corporation as I believe there are several areas in which I could help to strengthen your market share.

In brief, I am familiar with all aspects of international sales, establishing new channels, selection of agents, dealing with import/export regulations, as well as presenting at trade shows. In 2007, I recruited and trained six sales people in Europe, and the following year company sales increased by an astounding 67%. I also negotiated new distributors in Europe and expanded the company’s customer base by more than 50%.

Your recently advertised expansion into Eastern Europe interests me as I feel my experience and language fluency could make an enormous difference to your sales team, and thus ensure the success of this expansion.

I would be grateful if you would take a brief call from me later this week to give me your reactions and perhaps arrange to discuss my ideas.

Yours sincerely

Sarah McDowall

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Although I'm talking here about using a direct letter, remember that there is also tremendous value in using a well thought out telephone presentation in your job search activities.

You are here: Direct Approach which is 10x better than speculative letter writing. Follow this link to find an example of a functional CV which you may need if you are changing sectors.

Go back to the main cover letters writing page for more cover letter examples or continue to Networking For Jobs to find other ways to uncover hidden jobs.

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?

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