Fastest way to find a job – Search and tell job strategy
GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOUR JOB SEARCH OUT THERE
Don’t be secretive about the fact that you are looking for work.
Of course you are going to all the usual—and even, unusual—networking events. You are watching all the job boards, calling friends and colleagues, perhaps even doing some brush up/retraining on skills.
But there is somewhere else that you need to publicize your need for active employment. Reaching out with information to decision makers within corporate cultures is definitely in order. Further, it can be quite helpful to talk to individuals who may be so successful in what they have done in the past, that they feel very good about helping those moving forward into the future.
Yes. You really can get in front of anyone you want to talk to. Some very basic guidelines will get you there.
• People love to help
• Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
• Do your homework and know everything you can find out about the individual and either their present or past work history
• Be persistent
• Ask questions
• You are there for information, not a job offer
The process starts with a dynamic Cover Letter, letting the individual know that you are coming forth to ask for a job, but rather to ask for advice about who you should see next. You will get it!
The Cover Letter will let the person know that you will be phoning his or her office to set up an appointment.
The letter needs to go via Snail Mail, as too many emails are read by others. Be sure to mark the envelope “Personal And Confidential”.
Your first phone call will start your relationship with the Gatekeeper, who will undoubtedly wonder who you are.
They will look frantically for the letter, which is probably in the decision maker’s In-Box, because it was Personal and Confidential.
You will have told the Gatekeeper that you would be calling back, so do that in a day or so. It may take as many as four or five calls to set the appointment.
Be sure your Cover Letter has acknowledged that you know how busy Mr. or Ms. Decision Maker is, and that you will only take a short period of time.
Remember that you must think of this as a high-level informational interview. Your aim is to leave the meeting with new information and a direction to follow.
Put together a short pitch about who you are and what your core strengths are. Remember this word: SHORT. If you run on like a copy of War and Peace, you lost.
Ask the question “who do you think I should talk to, and in what company and/or capacity?” They will tell you where to go next—maybe more than one person or place.
Don’t be afraid to say: “I need your help and advice”. Stay upbeat and positive about who you are and what you can do. Make sure you briefly mention your unique ability to impact the bottom line of anywhere you work.
Remember to write a brief note of thanks and appreciation after the interview. Be sure to give any feedback on where you will be talking next.
You are indeed in a great position to make the referring person look really good.
If you have read in the media, or heard somewhere, that a particular company if laying off employees, rest assured that they are hiring, too. Make yourself so confidently impressive that perhaps a position may actually be created for you in a place where there was no immediate indication that an opening exists.
Face-to-face contact with decision makers works. It’s a far cry from an ad, a recruiter, or even a networking contact.
Beth Ross, Ph.D.
212-876-1759
www.bethross.com
