Are you job hunting and wondering if you should be contacting companies you want to work for?
Do you know how to or what to say?
Searching for a job often starts with looking for who is hiring. Multiple job boards can help you here. You contact others in your network and browse through job vacancy listings on Monster, Indeed and LinkedIn amongst others. However, you could also turn the process around and start contacting companies you want to work for regardless of any current vacancy.
Exploring these kinds of passive openings has advantages for you and your potential employer because you’re targeting opportunities where you would excel. Find out how to identify organisations where you want to work, and how to communicate with them, using these strategies.
Learning About Your Preferred Companies
- Browse online. Gather information from the company website and LinkedIn. Introduce yourself on social media and strike up conversations. Check out Glassdoor to find out what current and former employees have to say.
- Read the news. Before contacting companies, check out your local newspapers via their online site (old school approach but a vital source of local info) and industry publications can also be revealing. Maybe your potential employer sponsors community programs or lost half its sales revenue.
- Seek referrals. Ask around to see if you have contacts who know employees at the companies you’re researching. Personal introductions make it much easier to set up initial meetings.
- Attend events. Networking sessions and business conferences are an efficient way to access lots of information and individual perspectives. Check eventbrite for your ideal target companies’ or industry listings for upcoming events.
- Volunteer your services. Do you want an inside look at the kind of work you’re contemplating? Maybe you can intern or volunteer at the organisation or a similar operation.
- Identify decision-makers. Find out who you need to talk with. Calling the CEO directly could be the best route for senior positions (or perhaps go via your network as approaching the CEO directly may not always be the best route). Otherwise, you’ll probably start out with hiring managers and department heads.
Contacting Companies You Want To Work For
- Consider your contribution. Put the focus on what you can do for the company instead of talking about what you want. Talk about how you can add value and help them reach their goals. Be as specific as possible and hold off on sending your resume for now.
- Hone your elevator pitch. You’ll need to capture their attention quickly once you make contact. Rehearse your pitch until you can deliver it in about 15 to 20 seconds (30-60 seconds max!)
- Send an email. Your first communication will usually be an email. Craft a subject line that will pique their interest. Say you want to talk about their marketing campaign or their accounting needs. If you’re confident enough, use video email. You’ll be surprised how many respond to a video email! Use Dubb or BombBomb to get your face (and voice and personality) in front of the right people!
- Ask to meet (socially distanced if those rules still apply). Follow up with a request for a brief meeting. It’s often easier to reach people if you call early in the morning or late in the day in the middle of the week. Be sure to leave no more than one or two voice mails so they won’t feel harassed.
- Build your qualifications. If you succeed at arranging a meeting, listen closely. Find out what would make you a more attractive candidate and work on those skills. Brush up on your Google Analytics or strengthen your social media presence.
- Stay in touch. Remember that you’re making progress even if your preferred company is unable to hire you immediately. Check-in occasionally to let them know you’re still interested.
- Be patient. Landing your dream job can take time. If one prospect fails to respond, move on to other options. Cultivate a strong support network that will encourage you and give you constructive feedback. Believe in yourself and think positively about your future.
Finding a position you love will enhance your quality of life, and probably make your new employer glad you joined them. Make contacting companies you want to work for a central strategy in your job hunting.
Still need help?
If you would like more advice or help during your job hunt, why not get in touch with the team at Your People Partners? We love to help!
Further reading
- Please Stop Asking About Weaknesses in Job Interviews: A Better Approach
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