Not only do employers respect it, but using your initiative will also put you at the front of what can be a very long queue. It's estimated that 80% of jobs are never advertised, and those that are usually attract hundreds of applicants, so getting in first is key.  that might have positions that would suit your skill set. Call up each company and ask for the name and contact number of the person who deals with recruitment and send in a CV and cover letter directly to that person. Follow this up with a phone call if you haven't heard back within a week.  If you are told there are no vacancies, ask how you should find out about vacancies in the future and if you can be kept on file.  Investigate whether the company has a blog, Twitter profile, Facebook page or media centre that may be used to announce its latest financial results or new clients and partnerships – such announcements may indicate that the business is recruiting and provide you with a good excuse to get back in touch.  Think about ways to stand out from the crowd when making contact and consider how you package and send your CV and letter.  If for instance, it is Easter, consider sending in an Easter egg along with your CV and letter. The key is to stick in a potential recruiter's mind more than any other applicant and getting that all important first interview.  It is important to be constantly projecting yourself. The job, after all, will not find you if you don't make contact with anyone.  You should ensure that all relevant contacts, including former colleagues, clients, former teachers, family, friends and members of clubs and societies know that you’re available for work and where your particular strengths lie. Use social networking sites, such as  , to your advantage to advertise the fact that you are looking for work.  Find out if the company of interest holds work drinks at the end of the week and consider popping down for a drink and a chat to pick people's brains.  Depending on the kind of work you’re looking for, there’s a good chance that a potential employer will use the internet to assess whether you are a suitable candidate. Google yourself to see what comes up. In this digital age it would be an oversight to ignore the impact of your online reputation.  The results of a personal Google search can sometimes be surprising and may include activity from the likes of Facebook that could be highly revealing about your personality and habits.  "Try to be the first and best source of information about yourself,” says Antony Mayfield, author of ‘Me and My Web Shadow: how to manage your reputation online’. “Make sure you have complete profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn, establish a personal website or blog and make the most of previous work you’ve done.”  Prove your worth with a vocational qualification  Sometimes all the experience and contacts in the world aren’t quite enough to tip the balance in your favour. If your CV is a bit thin on the ground when it comes to qualifications then consider adding another string to your bow with a  In a recent survey by Home Learning College, 35% of British adults said they needed a vocational qualification to get their current job.  There is always the possibility that you will meet people of influence through the course, whether it be teachers, their contacts or former pupils now employed.  Vocational study is ideal because it focuses on practical, in-demand skills that are of genuine interest to employers.  Doing any kind of study as an adult shows commitment to your personal development, which is always an attractive quality.  Make sure the course you choose is professionally accredited and delivered by a recognised training provider so that it adds genuine value to your CV, making you a recession-proof employee.
If you’re one of the 2.5 million people currently out of work in the UK then you’re probably only too aware of how frustrating it can be looking for a job as the country heaves itself out of a recession.