How to Ask for a Job Offer
Asking for a job offer takes guts, and the energy inspiring that confidence and bravado should be equally targeted toward the phase before you ask for the job (e.g., preparing the resume and considering your verbal case as to why you deserve the job and would be a good fit for it). Asking for a job offer requires tailoring your resume to the needs of the job, outlining a case for why you should have it, and contacting the most sympathetic superior with the capacity to employ you.
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Instructions
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Tailor your resume to the needs of the position. In general, unless you are applying for an academic position, your resume should be no longer than one page, extremely concise, and use only active verbs to describe your activities, such as "wrote," "prepared," "created," "led," etc. Though some interesting activities such as community experience and international travel might add to the colorfulness and intrigue of your candidacy, the bulk of your resume should highlight the most relevant experience (e.g., for a finance position, your resume should be mostly finance-related).
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Outline the case on paper as to why you are a great fit for the job position. Initially, write down every reason that you can think of, no matter how silly or seemingly superfluous (for example, even include that fact that you think you are smarter and better-looking than everyone else, if that comes to mind).
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Review the outline and create a new one that includes only the best reasons from the previous outline that explain why you are perfect for the job. Additionally, reword some of the reasons that might be a bit hard to advertise directly (e.g., instead of saying that you are smarter and better-looking than others, come up with a few examples of compelling presentations you have given and creative tasks you have completed). You want to come off as clearly qualified, but not arrogant.
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Contact the superior with the greatest likelihood of offering you the position. If you do not know the relevant superior directly, then try asking someone ask for a recommendation. Regardless of how it's done, try to have your interest in the position along with your resume forwarded to the relevant superior prior to initiating a direct conversation.
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Set up a direct interview as soon as possible. Review that outline as to why you are suitable for the position before the interview. When you first meet the relevant superior for the interview, be sure to greet her with a friendly smile and a strong, confident handshake. During the interview, do not overburden the conversation with your interest in the position, but rather let the conversation flow naturally.
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If you do not receive the job offer by the end of the interview, ask respectfully something along the lines of "so do you believe I am suitable for the position?" But do not push it---you will likely receive a response sooner rather than later anyway.
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Tips & Warnings
Read "Job Interview Tips" by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics for some tips on how to prepare for the interview session.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
