Many jobs are filled before they are advertised—so it makes sense to use a combination of job search techniques. One technique is to contact employers directly. Many employers rely on job seekers approaching them to save them the time and money. Contacting employers directly shows that you are proactive and committed—qualities highly regarded by employers.
Cold canvassing employers
One way to approach employers is to 'cold canvass'. This means that you contact an employer about working for them even if they haven't advertised a job vacancy. The advantage of this approach is that you can target employers you want to work for, where your skills are well matched to the work they do.
You may have to contact a larger number of employers before you find someone who has work readily available. Remember that if an employer doesn't have a vacancy immediately, they may be interested in employing you in the future, so leave a copy of your resume with them and and follow up at a later date—your persistence may pay off!
Disability confident employers
When looking for a potential employer, you might be interested to learn more about 'disability confident' employers or employers who have a good track record in the employment of people with disability.
Depending on the job you are looking for, you can write to or call the employer. In less formal work environments you may be able to approach the employer in person.
Writing to an employer
When writing to an employer, there are a number of things you can do to increase the quality of your letter so that it stands out.
Phoning an employer
Phoning an employer can be a little daunting. This guide provides some tips and advice on things you can do to make phoning an employer a successful and comfortable experience.
Getting help from your employment service provider
Australian Government employment service providers can help you when contacting employers. They can give you advice on how to approach an employer and whether writing, calling or visiting in person is most appropriate. They may also have developed a network of employers and be able to approach an employer on your behalf.