jobs

Especially if you’re an urban dweller. According to the SBA web site, small firms make up more than 99% of inner city businesses and create 80% of jobs in those areas.

So, get out, look around, and write down the names and address of any company that interests you. When you get home, research them on Google, narrow the list down to 10-25, and find contact information for executives you might work for.

You have several options at this point:

• Put out feelers to your network asking for contacts at your top 25 local firms. When you make a connection, arrange a phone call or meet for coffee and find out how you can fill their needs.

Write an “approach letter” to employers, in which you say, in effect, “Here’s what attracts me about your organization, and here are the skills and abilities I can contribute. Would you be open to discussing this?” Don’t include a resume. Do call to follow up.

• Call decision makers by phone. Give your name and explain how you found them; demonstrate knowledge of their company; ask if they have a few minutes to speak; ask questions to uncover their needs; and ask for a meeting to discuss how you could help. If you don’t get a meeting, ask for referrals.

Confused about what to do? Mail or call five companies you don’t want to work for. Practice on them before contacting your top 25 employers.

Although economic problems may loom for large employers, small firms remain resilient. While the private sector as a whole lost 33,000 jobs in August 2008, small businesses (with fewer than 50 employees), added 20,000 jobs, according to the latest National Employment Report from ADP.

So be sure to think small in your job search. The results could be huge.

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Kevin Donlin is Creator of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. Author of 3 books, Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio and others. His free report, The Simple Job Search Manifesto, is found at www.TheSimpleJobSearch.com

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