Things You'll Need:
- A very well-done resume
- Thank you notes
- Courage!
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Step 1
We will assume that you have created a fabulous resume...and remember the best resumes keep it to one page. H.R. (human resource) personnel and recruiters and future bosses are busy people and will frown at lengthy resumes.
So..your first step is to have the goal of your dream job in mind.
Being practical, you also must recognize if you are actually qualified and/or capable of this job. We will assume you ARE well-qualified. -
Step 2
You might be surprised, but as a successful and award winning recruiter I did not establish getting a job as a goal for my clients. Instead, I had them concentrate on one thing and one thing only....getting an interview! Remember, you can't get a job until they've met and approved of you, so getting that interview should become your main focus. Too many people want to look at the dream job and are not willing to do the work and planning it takes to get to the point where the job is offered.
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Step 3
"How do I get an interview?", you ask. Good question. Wallpapering the world with your resume is NOT a good idea, so if you've been doing this STOP! We are going to be more selective in the future. Have you done your homework to find out where the companies/businesses/employers are who would most likely have a position which matches your qualifications?
If not, this is your next step. Yellow Pages, Internet, Friends, Family, Libraries, Chamber of Commerce, are just a few places where you can find some compatible employers. Oh, occasionally you might even find an ad in "help wanted." But I've helped many people CREATE their own job within a company--even companies that weren't advertising or hiring! You simply MUST do this research and find employers who could use your skills. That's your first assignment. -
Step 4
Do you have a list? Now, I want you to do MORE research. Find out everything you can about each of these businesses. Very important--find out WHO works there, especially the job titles and names of the person who might eventually become your boss. It would be wonderful if you could make the acquaintance of someone who is actually employed there because they could be a fabulous fountain of information. Find out who the HR people are too, but we are going to do a little sleight of hand regarding HR personnel...shhh! This has to be done carefully because you might alienate some people who will be needed to get you in the door. HR personnel--please don't write me. I'm trying to help someone find a dream job and YOUR job is to screen people OUT. Sorry.
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Step 5
O.K. You've found out the name and title of the person who could potentially become your boss/supervisor/manager. You've found out a lot about several companies where you could work. You know a lot about their business so you could discuss it intelligently with them. You know which ones have been more profitable lately --a good thing for you. Now, what we are going to do at this point, is pick one of those companies. Preferably one that is doing very well on the stock market or year-end numbers. Next we are going to re-do that resume so it is DIRECTLY aimed at this particular company and their product or service. Now that you know all about them, it should be easy to slant your resume so your talents match for their needs. Highlight those things that fit best with them. Also, keep in mind that your future boss is going to want an employee who makes him or her look good, isn't competing for his or her job, and an employee who makes life easier for THEM.
Now, the resume is done, so we need to write a short cover letter, addressed to the future manager or head of the department where you WILL be working (think positively,here). Word your SHORT letter that you believe you are a good match for this company and that you are CONFIDENT you can do a good job for....whatzisname.. Add that you will give him/her a day or two to look over your accomplishments and then you will give them a call to see about an interview. (You notice that we have completely bypassed the HR department which will irritate them if we're not careful--but this will get you in..if there's any possibility at all) Chances are, if you send it in to HR, it will get stuck in a file with a zillion other resumes and only pulled out if there's a dire need. You don't need that zillion other competitors...so we're doing this a little differently. Got it? In some cases the manager might refer your resume to HR because of protocol, and if this happens, when HR calls you just act innocent as if you didn't know where ELSE to send it. -
Step 6
So, now you've told the manager you will follow-up with a call. KEEP YOUR PROMISE! Be courageous and call. Confident but nice. "Hi this is Joe Schmoe. I have done a lot of research about your XYZ company and it is a place I would like to work. I promised in my note that I would give you a call after you had a chance to review my skills. I believe I have much to offer you at XYZ and I wondered when it would be convenient for me to drop in and explore the possibilities and what I can do for you? What does your schedule look like for next week?" (You have now asked for the interview in a very nice way and have ALSO piqued an interest). This will not always result in an opportunity, but it will give much better results than almost any other method. Chances are, you WILL get an opportunity to meet and discuss potential employment. If you get turned down, just consider it one more step to your dream job and go back to one of the OTHER companies you researched and try the same process. But, in this case you got good news. Let's go on.
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Step 7
Let's assume you get that interview. Show up on time. Be dressed conservatively, neat and clean, and if possible as most of the people who work there are dressed. Offer a FIRM handshake (man or woman) Do NOT be a limp-wristed dead-fish hand shaker! Look them in the eye and smile when you firmly shake their hand. It would be a good idea to practice this with someone at home. You would be amazed how people "size you up" just by first appearance and that handshake! Be ready to answer a question such as "Tell me about yourself" without quaking in your seat. This question is usually best addressed with a quick chronological listing of your education, job training, places you've worked, and of course where you are capable of helping THIS boss in THIS company. (Another reason you did all that research) Tell them WHY you picked this company and WHY you think you can benefit them. Also, be sure to shift some of the conversation so YOU are asking good questions about the company. "What do you think has caused your company to have the current growth you are seeing?" "Where do you see this company in 5 years?" ...things like that to stimulate discussion and show your interest and your knowledge about them. Don't overstay your welcome. You will see signs that the interview is nearly over. Offer that wonderful smile and handshake again. State again, at the end..."Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, I have learned even more about your company and I am sure I would be a good match for you. I'm confident that I can do a good job for you. I am certain that I would like to work here. I will give you a call next week after you've had a chance to think it over." Make a pleasant exit and be sure you make that promised call!
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Step 8
ALWAYS FOLLOW UP. Send a nice thank you note..handwritten saying basically the same thing as listed in step 7. ASK for the JOB! Too many people are too shy about this. What's the worst thing that can happen? They'll say no...and you go on to one of the other companies on your list. Once you've given your note time to arrive, give it a couple more days and give him/her a call and say again, basically the same things. Usually the handwritten note is preferred, but if the person was adamant about giving you an email contact, you can send an email thank you. I personally, would rate the handwritten note higher if I were hiring someone...it takes more effort--and that's the kind of person I want to hire. One who's willing to do the little "extra" things. There are a number of other things like salary negotiations and so forth, but for this "how to" You were aiming for an interview on your dream job and by using these techniques you increased your chances mightily of getting that job. Let me know how things worked out.
