Sending out general CVs

[mollykins]

I'm going to be sending out general CVs to places soon to find a job for the summer. I know beggers shouldn't be choosers but I'll send out two lots, first to nautical places and a couple of cafes who I know people that work at. I'll wait a week or two and if there's no reply then I'll send my cv to other cafes and shops . . .

Has anyone else had experience of sending out a load of CVs? how many did you have to give out before you got a reply or even better, a job?

[Zabadak]

Sending out a fleet of general CV's is the worst job-hunting method available (source "What Color Is Your Parachute?") effective in much less than 10 percent of actual jobs gained. Targeted, personally addressed CV's preceded by decent research and some personal contact to elicit an invitation is one of the best methods. For the kind of job you seem to be looking for, the direct approach is near enough essential. Go visit- and ask for advice initially, rather than a job. You need to be the solution to someone's problem, not another problem. Don't waste money on random posting.

[mrs_overall]

Mollykins, listen to what people are saying.

DO NOT bother sending out CV's - get out there on foot and visit cafes, shops etc.

[marval]

I would be careful highlighting your cadet news bit, they might think you were after some money from them, not just a job.

[joko]

come on guys...most people do not travel halfway round a city delivering lots cvs in person!
posting them is completely acceptable! ... and actually expected.
why are you all trying to imply molly doesnt care enough because she, as a schoolgirl doesnt want to traipse around handing in cvs to receptionists?
quite aside from the cost of bus, train fares etc...
i personally would place no more sway on a hand delivered cv that a postal one...i'd just assume they were passing or lived nearby - not that they were superkeen...

[joko]

you would be better phoning the companies and asking to speak to the boss and ask if their are any vacancies - if so get the name of the person and ask if you can visit them or interview or to send them your cv

no-one is going to just create a job for you, when there wasnt one available before just because you turn up in person

at least then you would know you have a lead

i personally would like to be put on the spot by someone turning up unannounced asking for an interview...
id also imagine youd be turned away by staff who are not really the boss who assume theres no jobs available

[bednobs]

joko, your answer might be relevant to your line of work (have you ever got a job from a purely speculative CV, ie no recomendations etc?) but for casual type work, i would ahve thought it was best to just go in and see wouldn't it?

[joko]

yes i have got work from speculative cvs...
but i dont really see what difference it would have made if turned on the doorstep to hand my cv in...if they are not hiring people at that moment it wont make a shred of difference will it...they will not hire you over others just because you hand the letter in in person...theyll just say thanks we will let you know...they will still have to just check out your letter and everyone elses just the same...

the chances of them being at that moment you walk in very short of staff and desperate and have no-one else they can call and need you urgently is very unlikely...

also if i was running a busy business and an inexperienced teen turned up wanting to speak to me, i may just tell them to go away...id like to deal with hiring staff in my own time an not 'on the spot'...id much prefer a phonecall first