subject: Job Searching Skills To Land An Interview In Any Industry [print this page] Who should read this post: Anyone who is looking to land his or her dream job
What you will learn: How to get an interview at your dream company
The secret to landing an interview with your dream company really boils down
to getting a solid introduction. But that begs the question ofHow?
A lot of people today assume that only the well connected people who love to
network can land introductions to top tier companies. This isnt the case
though! Anyone can land a first rate introduction if you follow these simple
steps:
1. Start a blog that is specific to the industry you are looking to get into.
By doing this you build credibility and demonstrate a passion for that field.
2. Connect with everyone you can on LinkedIn that is or maybe connected to
someone that works in that line of work.
3. Develop an Intro email and send it to everyone you can in the
company you want to work with.
4. Wine and Dine! Take the right people out to lunch and start developing a
relationship with them.
5. Once you land the hiring managers email, send them a message regarding the
position youre interested in.
Step 1: Start a Blog Specific to the Industry
When doing this it is very important to remember that you are not blogging to
build traffic, sale ads, push products or build a community. The only reason
of creating a blog is to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry,
establish credibility, and demonstrate a passion for the position.
Now there are two easy ways to create a quick blog that looks good and
displays the image you are looking for:
1. http://wordpress.com/
2. http://posterous.com/
So you have your blogNow what do you say on it?
Well if you are trying to get into finance you could write about your
opinions over recent mergers, the recession, stocks and bonds you are vested
in. The door to topics to write about is wide open.
If you are trying to get into fashion you could talk about the seasonal
fashions, your favorite designers or even give clothing suggestions for
outfit combos that you really like.
There are a million things that you can write about, just pick something and
start!
How much to write
It really doesnt matter too much but ill ask you this question, Is it
better to have an empty blog that never gets posted in or a blog that has a
lot of activity and displays competence in the industry? If it were me I
would post at least once or twice a week until you get 5 or 10 post then back
off to once a week posting.
Step 2: Connect on LinkedIn
Here are the steps to connect with every relevant person you may know on
LinkedIn:
1. Go to LinkedIn.com and create an account or login to your existing one
2. Go to Contacts -> Add Connections
3. Enter your email and password to connect to everyone that you have ever
emailed
4. Wait a week to let everyone accept your connection request
5. Go to Advanced Search and search for people that are in the company you
are interested in
6. Make a list of all of your first and 2nd degree connections (You will use
these in step 3)
Step 3: Email your connections for introductions
The following is an email template that I received from a colleague of mine
that he has used in the past and had great success with while using it in
this exact process.
Hi Name,
How is everything going?
Things are terrific on my side. Ive recently traveled to X, have spent
time learning Y, and am taking Z classes to develop my proficiency in Z.
Im emailing you today because Ive recently discovered my passion for
the A Industry and would love to work for Company Name. I noticed on
LinkedIn that you work at Company Name and would greatly appreciate an
introduction to Recruiting Manager. The opening that Im interested in is
Position Title.
I am fully committed to working at Company Name, and I currently write at
Blog Name to demonstrate my knowledge and passion for the A Industry.
I have attached my resume and cover letter. Thank you so much in advance for
passing my documents to the right person. Please let me know how I can help
you in any way.
All the best,
Name
Step 4: Wine and Dine
Everyone needs to eat lunch and everyone loves free food!
Once youre introduced to the right people at the company, you may offer to
take them out to lunch. Now this is a bold move and you need to be careful
when doing this, but if you do it respectfully and professionally they may
take you up on your offer. Remember that the whole point in this is so that
you can begin to develop a professional relationship with this person. People
hire people they like, all things being equal, the person that the hiring
manager likes most is going to be the one that gets the job. This will give
you the edge over the competition.
The following is the email template that my colleague used to take
professionals or even sometimes recruiters out to lunch.
Hi Name,
My name is Name and I was introduced to speak with you by Acquaintance Name.
I am deeply passionate about the A Industry and feel that the skills and
assets that I have developed throughout my career can greatly compliment
Company Name. Please take a look at my A Industry blog at Blog Name here to
learn more about my thoughts, opinions, and analysis of the market.
Id like to invite you to lunch next week to learn more about your company
and to demonstrate why Im the perfect fit for Position Title. I am
available the following days and times next week for lunch:
Please let me know what days and times work best for you.
All the best,
Name
Step 5: Email the Hiring Manager
Once you have the right introduction then its time to email the recruiting
manager. Here is an email template to help with that as well:
Hi Name,
My name is Name and I was introduced to speak with you by Acquaintance Name.
I am interested in the Position Title at Company Name and have attached my
resume accordingly.
I believe that I am perfect for Company Name because of my Quality 1, Quality
2, and Quality 3.
The next three paragraphs should highlight examples of your 3 qualities. Show
tangible examples of how your qualities have create positive return for the
companies you have worked for.
Take a look at my blog at Blog Name to learn more about my thoughts,
opinions, and market analysis of the A Industry.
Thank you very much and I look forward to speaking with you.
All the best,
Name
You want to remember to attach your application and resume to this email
also, even if you have already filled out a physical or electronic
application. If you use the above strategies and email templates you will
shine bright above the rest of the competition. Always remember to approach
each situation with a positive attitude and confidence in your abilities!
