Today, I want to tell you about The Proactive Contact.
You are ready with your resume. You've begun networking to identify opportunities. You're ready for another valuable tip: Focus. Narrow your search. Figure out exactly what you want. Think of it as if you were going out to dinner. You know what food you want, so it's easy to find. Just pick the right restaurant. If you don't know what you're looking for you may wind up some place that has nothing appealing. Likewise in the job market. Don't worry about identifying an esoteric position. Remember, the more specific you are, the easier it is to find a company trying to fill that role.
If you respond to job ads of all sorts, you will be sending a resume that is not designed to appeal to the hiring managers. If you develop a resume to get the attention of a hiring manager for a specific job, then your odds of getting an interview increase.
The same holds true for broadcast letters. Some companies will charge tens of thousands to mail out just as many letters randomly. You are better off focusing on a specific role and writing to people who can help you. It's the difference between being proactive and reactive. You know which one works more effectively.