How to Find a Job When None Exist - Steve Blacker

Just because the company you may be interested in has no job openings does not mean none exist. The real challenge is in getting to the key decision maker who could hire you. And doing so in a way that takes away the normal pressure off your appearing to be looking for a job.

The best way to approach a key executive at a company you are interested in is to seek their opinion and guidance on some ideas you have. If you do not have direct access to the person you wish to meet with you can Facebook, Google or LinkedIn them to see if the two of you have mutual contacts. Or perhaps you worked for the same company at different times, attended the same college but in different years; whatever that can help you gain a meeting.

The idea you have to share with them should be one that either shows ways for their company to create new profit centers or reduce operating costs. To put your ideas together you need to first study their recent annual reports, speeches their key executives have given; and analyze their competitive and market position.

Finding a new job when none exist becomes a job in itself. Your biggest opportunities are with companies that are facing challenging times. They need change agents who can help them re-invent their current business models. You need to look for ways a company can leverage their brands in ways they may never have thought of before. Any new concept that can leverage a brand attribute can be easily tested online and at no cost just by using existing customer E-mail addresses and Survey Monkey.

Restructuring existing departments and streamlining can often reduce costs. Start with a zero based operating structure and then attempt to justify the need for every head count and expenditure.

Once you have put a plan together set up a meeting and act as if you are already employed at the company you meet with. Use the term we, we can create a new profit center by etc., etc.

Do not be concerned that your ideas will be stolen. If a company likes your ideas they will need you to execute them. If head count is a real obstacle they can hire you as a consultant on a project basis.

Your biggest challenge will be in putting together ideas and concepts that are both highly innovative and are not costly to execute.

Steve's most recent book You Can't Fall Off The Floor - The Insiders' Guide to Re-Inventing Yourself and Your Career chronicles his 50 year career working for over 25 different companies with 189 lessons learned and insider tips from Gayle King, Cathie Black, Chuck Townsend and 28 others; Blacker is still going strong today as a partner in Frankfurt & Blacker Solutions, LLC. His web site is blacker-reinventions.com and e-mail address is blackersolutions@aol.com

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