For businesses that don't make it a regular practice to post job openings, is it ok to just call them to ask if there are available jobs? Usually I drive to the places, but they're all spread out around the city and I'd like to save gas if possible, especially when I have a high strike out percentage.

I'm also really nervous about calling…any tips?

[Rapunzel]

Sometimes it works, and if they don't have any jobs available, what have you got to lose? You can get better results if you can call and name someone they know who has referred you. Also, it can put them on the spot to call and immediately ask for a job, so another option is to express interest in their business and ask if there is someone available with whom you could schedule an "informational interview." When you go to an informational interview, you are gathering information and referrals and finding out about how you can get involved in the business or a similar one. These can lead to job offers, but you don't want to pressure them by asking for a job in an informational interview. You can ask for referrals, however. Ask them, "do you know anyone who might be hiring in this industry?"

I sometimes send out resumes by email, particularly to places where I have applied and/or interviewed before, with a note that I am interested in case they have any new openings and wanted them to know that I would be available.

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Sometimes it works, and if they don't have any jobs available, what have you got to lose? You can get better results if you can call and name someone they know who has referred you. Also, it can put them on the spot to call and immediately ask for a job, so another option is to express interest in their business and ask if there is someone available with whom you could schedule an "informational interview." When you go to an informational interview, you are gathering information and referrals and finding out about how you can get involved in the business or a similar one. These can lead to job offers, but you don't want to pressure them by asking for a job in an informational interview. You can ask for referrals, however. Ask them, "do you know anyone who might be hiring in this industry?"

I sometimes send out resumes by email, particularly to places where I have applied and/or interviewed before, with a note that I am interested in case they have any new openings and wanted them to know that I would be available.

I'm not sure if I have anybody to name…I could throw out people's names in the industry, but I'd hate to guess wrong.

I've applied to one of their stores before, but even though there was no one staffed to do my job, they weren't interested. That was a while ago, so I e-mailed them again more recently with no response.

I've also recently gone to all the similar businesses within the city and there's no openings and there won't be any in the future as the owners are running the business by themselves or with a partner and don't want any other employees.

I just wanted to find a temporary job in my industry…or if not that, find one that won't cause my soul to die or destroy my creativity. And not something I would be humiliated to be seen working at by my peers.

I'm just kind of lost right now as to which direction to go. Everything I try seems to be a scam or something that won't actually make money. Or is something I can't physically do or I don't have the right degree (I have 3 already and don't really feel like wasting money on a fourth)…so I don't even know where to go from here.

[H3rmit]

I've done it, and it was quite effective. I don't know what field or business type you are interested in, but obviously they must have a seasonal cycle. They have a time of year when they are most likely to need more people. That is the best time to call and ask if they will have any openings coming up or if they take applications. Ideally, you tantalize them with a detail or two about your skills and background, to make yourself sound desirable as an employee rather than clueless/desperate/other. That's how I usually got jobs, and I expect that's how I'll get them in future, if I ever look for another one. Since you don't have a name of a person likely in charge of such things, you'll call and get a receptionist, and you can ask them who is the person or department in charge of these things. Write down the answers. I always wrote out well-phrased questions and statements, because I generally am poor at communicating with people off-the-cuff or thinking on my feet with people. Which reminds me: stand up when you make these calls. You'll have more oxygen, feel more confident and sound better. Good luck. It's way better than answering postings!

I hate getting cold calls, but a business is open for business. I figure I am offering them something they may find of value, and I am going to be polite, professional, pleasant, and not waste their time.

Originally Posted by H3rmit

I've done it, and it was quite effective. I don't know what field or business type you are interested in, but obviously they must have a seasonal cycle. They have a time of year when they are most likely to need more people. That is the best time to call and ask if they will have any openings coming up or if they take applications. Ideally, you tantalize them with a detail or two about your skills and background, to make yourself sound desirable as an employee rather than clueless/desperate/other. That's how I usually got jobs, and I expect that's how I'll get them in future, if I ever look for another one. Since you don't have a name of a person likely in charge of such things, you'll call and get a receptionist, and you can ask them who is the person or department in charge of these things. Write down the answers. I always wrote out well-phrased questions and statements, because I generally am poor at communicating with people off-the-cuff or thinking on my feet with people. Which reminds me: stand up when you make these calls. You'll have more oxygen, feel more confident and sound better. Good luck. It's way better than answering postings!

I hate getting cold calls, but a business is open for business. I figure I am offering them something they may find of value, and I am going to be polite, professional, pleasant, and not waste their time.

Seasonally, they usually hire in the summer/late summer. That's when I visited all the places I hadn't previously visited. Most were adamant about the fact that they weren't going to hire anyone else at any time. One place would let me rent out space but I didn't think I would make enough money to make it worth it. Another place let me submit an application, but they're not hiring for my position at this time and likely won't in the near future.

I just have to face the fact that either I don't have any skills or the fact that I've never had a "salaried" job. I wonder if a minimum wage place would hire me? I don't know if I could work in a place like that without becoming more depressed in the process.

My main question about postings is are any of them real or are they all fake/scams?

Maybe I should just walk down town and randomly go into businesses and see if they want to hire anyone.

[Sharp_Lace]

Cold calling works some times. I've known some people to get jobs this way. My brother is a mechanic thats how he gets a lot of his work.

You can try also searching in the news paper or on online job boards like Monster.com

Good luck.

[winter4me]

I have gotten jobs cold calling. And, in the past, by walking into a place. Lately, the internet seems the way (unless I call an agency that knows me)--check company web sites also, and branch out a bit from what you are looking for; many websites have a "careers" or "jobs" section you can check periodically for openings.
If you could afford it for a period of, say, 6mo, renting out a spot (depending on what you do) might not be a bad idea at all, gives you exposure, chance to meet people, get to know people....build a reputation.
It is something you just have to keep at. Taking any job right now might be okay for a bit; you don't have to stay anywhere, can continue to look...