Making Your Own Job Opportunity With the Cold Call Letter

By Margaret Lake

Job Vacancy Indonesia, Employee, Vacancy 

Many job seekers diligently pour over the classifieds every day or search sites such as Monster.com looking for a job. That approach works for many but it isn't the only way to find a job.  You don't have to wait for some employer to announce that there is an opening before you apply.

You might be able to get your foot into the door or even tap into needs the company didn't think it had.  You just have to put yourself in the right place at the right time. 

Research is critical when you are writing a cold call cover letter.  Find out everything you can about the company-what it does, what it needs, any current problems it may be having.  Write to a specific person.  Do not use a generic opening such as "Dear Sir".  Letters written to anonymous persons are often rejected immediately.  In cold calls, this kind of generic opening just won't cut it.

In the cold call letter you must be able to identify your specific are of expertise in the very first paragraph of the letter.  Don't be general and say something like "I am hoping to find a job that matches my current research interests" because you haven't told us what your current research interests are.  This would probably be one of those letters that fails to capture attention.  You need to show that you are sincerely interested in working within a specific unit or area of the company if you hope to get yourself noticed.

Tell the potential employer what kind of work you would like to do.  Be sure that they actually do that kind of work.  Many people are afraid that by doing so they will close opportunities to other areas in the company.  That is not usually true because, if an employer is interested in you and you look strong, they will find a position for you somewhere.  If an employer has a job for which they feel you will be a good fit, even if you didn't mention it in your letter, you will like y be considered for the job.

Finding out an angle for yourself is central to your success.  Make sure that you are clear about exactly what you will be bringing to the company.  The more concise the letter is, the better.  Say something like, "I was able to develop a program than increased overall productivity by 15% in one year".  Do not feel you need to embellish-just the facts but make them strong and clear.

Keep in mind that the cold call letter is really a sales letter.  You have to make sure that the employer understands how you can help address a need in the company.  You have to make the employer interested enough to meet with you even though there is no opening currently.  You have to be very proactive. Be confident and positive. 

If you can do that, chances are good that you will be able to tap into the 60+% of the job market that is never advertised.  You may even get them to create a job for you!