Sometimes companies list openings with the trade associations and professional organizations that serve their industries. These groups act as no-fee clearing houses between their corporate and individual members. You can advise these organizations of your interest in setting up interviews by sending them a letter or your resume with a cover letter attached.
Some trade associations and professional organizations publish newsletters that announce current openings. Ask to be put on the mailing list.
When companies utilize these organizations for recruitment assistance, they're usually seeking specific industry experience. However, because skills can be transferable from one industry to another, this strategy is often effective for the job-seeker who wants to enter a particular industry.
If there's a national association or organization that has a local chapter in your area, or if there's an independent group that's local, contact the president and try to arrange a personal meeting. This person will be an invaluable source for referrals.
Executive Search Firms
In order to fill high-level positions, companies often retain executive search firms to identify and recruit individuals with specific kinds of experience. These positions usually command salaries of at least $75,000 and are at the level of manager and above. Executive search firms will therefore be of use to a minority of job-seekers. These firms will also do nothing to find someone a position. They work strictly for their corporate clients.
If you're at this management or salary level, you should give strong consideration to sending executive search firms your resume. This is the only strategy that doesn't decrease in effectiveness as a job-seeker's level of seniority increases. In fact, it's estimated that companies fill 25% of their management-level openings through these firms. When writing to search organizations, always attach a cover letter to your resume.
If your experience is appropriate for a current assignment, you'll be contacted for an interview. Otherwise, executive search firms will retain your resume in their files and call you when an appropriate position arises.
When you write these firms, it isn't necessary to address any particular person by name and title. However, if you have a contact who is held in high regard by a certain firm, ask him to arrange an introduction. This referral will give you credibility, and when your background is selected for an assignment, you'll be viewed as a preferred prospect.
Unfortunately, the likelihood is remote that a firm will be looking for someone with your background at the time you initiate contact. For this reason, write to between 50 and 100 executive recruiters.
If your objective is to relocate to a particular part of the country, it's best to approach firms located in that area, since these organizations tend to work on openings near their offices. (This is especially the case with the smaller firms.) However, positions can actually be anywhere in the country (or in the world for that matter) because clients are often national and international in scope, with subsidiaries, divisions, and plants canvassing the globe. If you see an ad placed by a search firm, and the organization is local, call to arrange an interview. Otherwise, send a letter that begins by noting the ad.*
* Since you know that the firm is currently looking for a specific type of background as well as what the key requirements are, this letter will enable you to tailor your experience accordingly.
To identify executive search firms, see the Directory of Executive Recruiters, which lists organizations throughout the country, including the minimum salary levels at which they work and the industries and job functions in which they concentrate. This publication cross-indexes these firms by industry and job function as well. You can also order a copy of The Recruiting 6- Search Report; there are four regional editions, with groupings according to industry and job function. In addition, the Yellow Pages lists search firms under "Executive Search Firms." (A few, unfortunately, will really be employment agencies.)
The Alumni Placement Office
Companies sometimes list openings with college and university alumni placement offices. These departments serve two functions: (1) they maintain job banks of current listings, and (2) they match graduates' resumes against these openings and forward them to the appropriate companies.
Sending a resume to your alumni placement office presents three problems. First, there's no confidentiality. Not only are company recruiters free to review the resumes that are on file, but you have no control over the companies that will be sent your background. Second, companies tend to utilize this recruitment source for junior- and staff-level positions. An exception, though, is the alumni placement office for graduate programs. Here, companies list high-level openings. Third, positions are seldom located in the geographic area in which you want to work.
Some alumni placement offices also maintain a databank, categorized by industry, of where graduates are currently employed. This will provide valuable leads, since alumni are receptive to hearing from others and like to help with a networking process.
Forty Plus Clubs
Forty Plus Clubs are nonprofit organizations in which members assist one another in finding new employment. In order to join, you must be a U.S. citizen, unemployed, and at least 40 years old. An initial fee and monthly contribution are required. A member must also devote a specified number of hours to club activities each week.
These organizations act as support groups where members share job openings, arrange interviews for one another, provide contacts, and offer assistance in matters such as resume-writing and interviewing techniques.
