Posted under Job Search on October 5th, 2007
As a Breakthrough Career Coach, I am always coaching my clients to use proactive job search methods over reactive methods such as responding exclusively to online postings. The biggest challenge I see for my clients is reaching out to make contact with a hiring manager or decision-maker at a target company that is a fit with their background. In looking for more creative ways to do that, I found a great article on the Quintessential Careers site with tips written by Steve Levy, Principal for Outside-the-Box Consulting. Here are the strategies he recommends:
- Do a Google search for conferences in your industry or field
and look for speaker bios. - Conduct a Google search on: “@xyzcompany.com +manager” and see
what pops up. - Find the magazine with the highest readership for your industry
or function. Go through six months’ worth of issues and write down
the name and title of every person quoted. - Share university alumni chapter contacts with your friends.
- You know those business card bowls that so many restaurants use
for meal giveaways? While you’re standing there waiting to be seated,
take a handful of cards and start looking at names and job titles. - When networking, rather than ask for referrals to people who work
in your area, ask for referral to the “five best business people you
know.” - Scour conference proceedings for names of hiring managers.
These are great ideas and with persistence and follow through, the proactive job seeker will always have the edge over less aggressive candidates. The key is follow through. So when in doubt, make it count. As the saying goes, “Just do it!”
Posted by Julianne Franke
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