Job Hunting Tip

A few days ago, I mentioned that a job hunter should volunteer some time to a charitable activity.  This action has a two fold effect: it helps the charitable organization and it expands the networking contacts for the hunter. Now, here is another indirect approach to your job search.

Start a research project on an industry you believe could offer you job opportunities. Not a fake project, but a genuine project with a written report at the conclusion of your research. For example, let me suggest hypothetically that you believe that medical software is an industry that has opportunities for you. First step is make an outline for your report including such items as size of the market, competition, regulations and sales process. Your outline is important because that is your introductory teaser that will open the doors to the C level people in the industry.

A brief letter that goes something like the following  is your opening message-
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Dear Mr. Smith:

My name is -give your real name- and I am conducting research on the medical software industry. Attached is an outline of my final report.

I am contacting you because your firm is active in this industry. Would you invest 30 minutes of your time to to answer a few questions for my research project? Your answers will remain anonymous. Although the final report is confidential, I would provide you with a free copy of the final report. The interview can be conducted over the phone if it is more convenient for you... And so on.
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You get the idea. The letter can be modified for any level job and any situation. Is this method disingenuous. No. Your research is real. And your final report may get you the job. If someone should suspect a charade and ask, "Are you really looking for a job and are using this research project to get in the door?" You reply, "I am investing considerable time and money in doing this research project to assess the entire industry. If I discover the industry has opportunities for someone with my skills, then when my research is concluded, I may elect to pursue opportunities in this industry." The Fortune 100 companies do similar research all the time and they call it Business Intelligence.

Take it or leave, but it works.