|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Resources |
|
| |
How Best to Approach Potential Employers
Excerpt from Your Work Search Companion: A Toolkit for Finding Your Best Place to Work, by Marty Silberstein
Once you have identified and researched your prospects, your next step is to approach them.
The best strategy is to find the hiring manager in the department that interests you and approach him or her directly, rather than just sending a résumé to Human Resources (HR).
- Can you get an introduction or referral through someone you know?
- Can you ask your contacts for someone who may be able to provide an entrée to that hiring manager or department?
- Call the main switchboard and ask for the name of the vice president of marketing, controller, operations manager, etc.
- Check the corporate website for the names of the managers.
- You can ask people on the online lists that you subscribe to if they know anyone at your selected company.
- If you have a LinkedIn account, you can search for connections in that company and do some networking. Ask for referrals.
Create a strong and customized cover letter and résumé. Alternatively, send a compelling letter that details your interest and suggests how you will contribute to the company. Send your pitch to the hiring manager, rather than the human resources department.
Hiring managers often file résumés they receive and take out that file when the next opening occurs. If they find a qualified candidate, they may avoid a completely new search, saving valuable staff time and money. They frequently pass résumés on to other managers and departments. Information circulates.
Keep in touch with those companies with the strongest appeal to you. Stay up to speed on their product offerings and follow company news. An occasional phone call is not inappropriate, but give the manager something of value during that conversation.
We wish you every success!
Back to Top
|
|
