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the three primary requirements. They want someone with “good people skills,” you have “good people skills.” Isn’t this fun? You’re just giving ’em what they think they want. What they get is you. Instantly. Then they know what they want.

• Rely on the classified ad rep for tips. HR people do. Ad-sales reps can save you a ton of money by helping you take advantage of upcoming features (perhaps a special jobs or career section), timing your ad to reach different demographics (as between midweek and weekend editions), using rateholders (those two-line ads that run to take advantage of multiple insertions), and other tricks of the trade. Reps frequently have control over placement of the ads, too. Go for the front page, back page, inside upper-right insertion, or other optimum space.

Deciding Where to Place the IAA

Which publication to use will depend on an infinite number of variables. They include the type of position you want, whether you want to place the ad locally or nationally, whether you want to place it out of town in advance of a scouting trip (Do 60), or whether you want a niche publication in your field.

Call all the publications that have the demographics you want. Tell the reps that you know there’s no limit to the amount you can spend on advertising, but you have a very limited budget. Then, listen well. They know which ads work and which don’t. You’re not writing it for views, you’re writing it for interviews.

I’ve advertised in some of the most beautiful pieces you can imagine, but nobody responded. Then I’ve run the same ad in some oddball publication and tons of inquiries poured in. The lesson here is that you always start slow and recognize that the size of the ad doesn’t matter if the placement or the publication is wrong.

IAAs mean increased interviews with no time taken away from instanting. They’re worth maximizing this way!

Do 13: Blasting Instant Availability Announcements

Let’s explosively blast your IAA with pure dynamite!

Faxing Fast

First we’re going to review how to fax it to the offerors of the workingworld. You can easily get their fax numbers by calling target companies and just asking.

Here’s what you say:

You: Hi. Could I have your fax number?

Receptionist: We have more than one. Which department are you trying to reach?

You: (Ask for anything but HR, such as:)

The head of marketing

The head of community relations

The head of internal affairs

The head of transportation

The head of your IT department

The list goes on, but you get the idea. You’re trying to reach an offeror—a “head of ”—who has fax access. You probably won’t even be asked why. It’s a routine request.

Just be sure to ask for the offeror’s full name (including middle initial) and title. It’s worth waiting for a moment to get this information.

Then be . . .

Internetting Instantly

1. Go online. The same sites that advertise jobs also allow postings from jobseekers.

2. Look up trade magazines, online and otherwise. Many have full sections of availability announcements.

3. Contact alumni and club magazines. They often have large availability sections too—at little or no cost. This is a great resource because people like to work with other members.

4. Find former supervisors and co-workers. Then e-mail them the announcement.

5. Use your computer address book. E-mail the announcement to your friends and acquaintances.

6. Let everyone you can know you’re available and able. Tell them exactly what you’re looking for.

Networking Socially

Why do people think social networking sites are for socializing?

Most make it easy for you to state your experience. Emphasize it in your profile, minimizing the strictly social information. Avoid music, outlandish statements, or anything you don’t want the working world to know forever.

You might also check out some of the niche sites that serve the placement industry. Recruiters list their areas of expertise, and many receive excellent candidates that way. Since they’re into networking, they