The Odds for 10 Top Job-Finding Strategies

Advice from Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute?, as reported in the September 1, 2009 issue of Bottom Line Personal newsletter:

1. Mailing out resumes/submitting or posting resumes online -- odds of success: 7%*.
2. Responding to ads in professional or trade journals -- odds of success: 7%.
3. Responding to ads on Internet job sites -- odds of success: 10%.
4. Responding to ads in the local newspaper -- odds of success: 5%-24% (the lower your salary requirements the better this works).
5. Working with a private employment agency or search firm -- odds of success: 5%-28% (best with low-wage office positions, such as secretarial or clerical jobs).
6. Networking for leads -- odds of success: 33%.
7. Knocking on doors unannounced at employers of interest -- odds of success: 47% (especially effective with small businesses with 50 or fewer employees; mid afternoon is best).
8. Calling companies of interest that are listed in the local Yellow Pages or White Pages Business section -- odds of success: 69% (ask for the owner, explain your background and relevant skills, then ask if s/he knows anyone in the industry in need of someone like you, or if you could come in and talk about the industry).
9. Partnering with other job hunters -- odds of success: 70% (works best when partnering with those having different skills/career interests than you).
10. Taking inventory of yourself, then targeting the employers where you ought to be working -- odds of success: 86% (yes, it takes time, but if you can define your skills and the type of work you want to do in as much detail as possible, you will be able to detail what you have to offer to a potential employer far more compellingly) .

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* Based on industry studies/other sources.