Hot Tip #8

Going door-to-door with your resume is a time-tested method of applying for jobs. We’ve all done it, and all with varying levels of success.

Cold canvassing for work is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some people have a natural knack for approaching people cold and being able to talk to anyone, whereas for many, the thought of knocking on random doors for work fills them with dread. Today we’re going to discuss a couple of basic strategies that may help you with this part of your journey.

- Do your homework! –
Your first thought may be to just rock up to a bunch of employers with your resume and hope for the best… We’re going to (kinda!) advise against that. Employers know when jobseekers are doing this, and many have told us that it feels like a waste of their time. Best practice is to be targeted in your approach to who you are vising; do a little bit of research and go in with some knowledge of the business and what they do will mean that you aren’t seen as just ‘doing the rounds’ with your resume and that you have a genuine interest in the business you’re approaching.

- Ask leading questions –
When you’re canvassing, you want to ensure you get genuine value out of the conversation. If you go into a business and ask “can I have a job?”, the answer is usually binary – ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, and the conversation can be over in under a minute.
We suggest you try to change the conversation. Business owners generally love what they do, and are proud of the businesses they own and operate, so try to get them talking! Instead of asking “can I have a job?”, reframe it as “I am interested in what you guys do; what do you look for in your new employees?” or “I want to be part of [this industry], have you got any advice on how I might get a start?”. By reframing what you’re asking, you’re changing a ‘Yes/No’ question into a discussion about their business and industry, and may present you as a genuine future employee prospect in their minds.

- Treat each interaction as an interview –
This should go without saying; you want to make sure your first impression counts! Every door you knock on may be an employment opportunity so you need to make sure their first impression of you is positive. Spend a moment prior to ensure you look presentable, and be sure to talk as you would in an official interview. You don’t get a second chance with your first impressions so treat these first interactions as your chance to shine.

The team at GJH are here to help you in your job search efforts. We are passionate about empowering our participants to put their best foot forward and helping you find the job you want. If you would like to chat further about these tips, or any other advice to help you in your job search journey, come have a chat with the team at GJH on 1300 084 307 or email jobshub@gcc.tas.gov.au