Occasionally, PDXSX will try to answer questions from readers who have emailed us or contacted us via Twitter. This week’s question comes from a reader from SUNY-Oneonta via Twitter.
Dear PDXSX, among all of your tips, what is your most favorite tactic you have developed for finding job opportunities?
Well, seeing that most college seniors will be graduating and competing for those coveted job opportunities, we are going to give away our personal favorite for finding a job. It’s not really even a secret. In fact, we can’t understand why more people from all ages and levels of professional work experience don’t employ it more often.
Anyway, here goes: The secret is to make a simple offer, an offer that not many can refuse. What is this offer that works so well? <Cue Godfather Theme Song>
C O F F E E
O noble cup of velvet brew!
We thank each passing day for you,
If not for you our days would be
sad, and spent in drinking tea!
Thou art the friend of workers free,
who have no time for frippery
like dainty sips from china cups
with buttered scones and silly sops.
Okay, Here is how it works.
Do your research. Find out exactly where you want to work. What is the one specific place that you really want to be? If you can’t identify that, this tactic isn’t appropriate for your needs.
Now, find out exactly who makes the hiring decisions. If it is a large organization, it will probably be someone on the upper levels of management or a HR representative. If it is a smaller organization, it might be the President, CEO or Founder. Again, research is paramount here before you craft your message.
Next, prepare the email message. Make it simple. Make it concise. And make it honest.
Subject Line: Hi <Name>, Quick Question
Message: Hi <Name>,
I am a recent graduate from <esteemed academic institution> and I am very interested in a career in <profession>. I understand with the current economic climate you are probably not hiring right now, but I am very interested in learning what you look for in an ideal young candidate.I was curious if you might have 15-minutes to grab a coffee and chat with me about the skills and experience you look for in a new employee. While I am certain that you are quite busy, I would be more than happy to meet you at <a purveyor of coffee near their office>, my treat. Do you think you might have some availability next week?
I really appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
PDXSX
Honestly, it’s that simple.
Just make The Ask.
And after you have met them for coffee and asked them your previously prepared questions, sit down and hand write a thank you note…
…and don’t forget to bring your resume and portfolio to the meeting, because once you are sitting down over coffee, if you are really clever, you just turned an informational interview into a real job interview.
Good luck!
Tags: interviewing, job seeking, tips & tricks
