With all the news that the economy in the San Francisco Bay Area is rebounding and companies are again hiring, have you been maybe, kinda sitting on the sidelines, waiting for this timing to occur? Well, if you have, are you ready to be hired?
Sure you are, but are companies ready to hire you? Try these 7 tips:
1. Make a Memorable Connection: Before applying for your dream job, find a way to make a memorable connection with the recruiter or hiring manager if possible. There are now lots of ways to sleuth within a company (use LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter to refine your search for the hiring manager or recruiter) and even before applying, make a call or email the hiring manager and make a connection. How? See the next tip.
2. Add Value: Recruiters and hiring managers are inundated with cover letters and resumes that all look the same and say the same things. You need to stand out. Do some research and find out what type of challenges the company or industry is facing, find some timely, respected article or whitepaper, and send it to the recruiter with a note. Let them know you are the one who can help solve the challenge they face. And after the interview, check in periodically and continue sending timely, relevant articles to stay top of mind.
3. Be Brief and Concise: Too many candidates are like an open fire hydrant – spewing everything they know and have done and what they’ll do and – oh my! Stop. Say what you need to say in less than 30 seconds. Also, rather than tell, show. “My managers loved that I was able to reorganize my team, while also improving the morale and saving $80,000.” This type of statement should elicit a ‘Really? Tell me how you did that.’ comment. Practice what you will say with a friend or partner and remember to be concise.
4. Don’t be Desperate: This is one of the most difficult things to follow after an interview. When should you follow up? How frequently? What do you say? You know you need this job, but the company has their own schedule to follow and it won’t match your in most cases. Be optimistic in your calls and emails. People want to be around optimistic people, so your attitude is critical. Recruiters and hiring managers can smell desperation in your tone – either in your voice or email.
Practice your message you’ll leave on voice mail and reread twice any emails you send. Be positive and expect the offer.
5. Know What Their Time frame is: As mentioned, your urgency does not automatically match their need or timeline to hire. Be prepared for that and make sure you ask what their time frame is to fill the position as well as the steps involved. Smaller companies tend to move quicker, but not be as clear on their hiring process. Large companies are very clear on their process, but can take several months to complete it, if ever. Too many times a candidate will go through the lengthy interview process for several months only to find the company had changed direction, acquired another company that has that resource, or filled the position from within. Be prepared for that.
6: Don’t Assume the Worst… If you haven’t heard back after repeated calls or emails (that’s a lot of articles you’ve been sending!) don’t despair. It is not uncommon that they haven’t made a decision for many reasons and have no progress to report. They may have filled the position with another candidate and after a few months found she was not a good fit and will come back to you. Don’t despair and wait for the phone to ring. Continue your search for other opportunities and keep your attitude positive…
7. And Don’t Expect the Best: …but not too positive. Too many candidates who are looking at multiple opportunities have a terrific interview where the hiring manager all but says you’re hired, and you stop the good search activities and wait for the call. Don’t. The call may come, but more likely it won’t, or it won’t in an acceptable time frame. Keep up your good habits and continue to be visible to the recruiters and hiring managers of your target companies. You won’t catch any fish if your line is not in the water.
For more job resources in the SF Bay Area, check out Job Connections in Danville.
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