Job Search Follow Up: There’s a Right Way

Wendy Terwelp 2 Comments

When I was a recruiter, candidates sometimes called our company a few times a day asking if we found anything yet. Sometimes it was once a day, every day during the week. Interestingly enough, these were for all levels of positions, including high level positions (I specialized in IT and sales exec roles).  

This extreme follow up is annoying and definitely the wrong way.

Just met with an executive recruiter this past Friday and again annoying versus professional and persistent follow-up techniques came up in the conversation.

What’s the right way? A value-focused phone call that leaves the employer wanting more.

Old way: “Hey, just checking in to see if you received my resume.” BORING.

Instead: “Wilamena Herzog it’s Fred Smith. I’m calling to see if you had a chance to take a look at my resume and to mention I am very interested in the sales position. When I researched your company, I saw that you sell the XWY Widget 1000. This is a core area of my expertise. In the past year, I sold more than $1 million worth of this product. I’d like to do the same or better for you. Please give me a call between 2 and 4 p .m. Tuesday and I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.”

Using this strategy, you indicated your value, interest in the position, AND the best time to reach you. This technique also helps avoid playing phone tag.

When following up with recruiters, Laurie Purcell of Key Search recommends contacting recruiters no more than three days after emailing a resume. She recommends waiting no more than one week before following up with employers.

Challenge: Check your list of targeted employers. Have you followed up? If not, make a call or send an email. Be sure to communicate your value, interest, and best time to be reached. Stand out from the crowd.

Cover Letters: You can quote me on this

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Sick of writing the same old cover letter? “I saw your ad….” Yeah, you and 100,000 other people. So, how do you stand out from the crowd?

Try using some quotes that support the qualifications requested in the ad. They’re looking for a top-producing sales rep? Why, your last boss dubbed you “The Cold Call King.” Use it — and attribute it.

They need a PR whiz fully committed to nonprofit? Your coworkers call you “The PR Martyr.” Use it. And provide an example. “I’m committed to nonprofit. So committed, I once brought in a cot so we could make the media deadline — and get the press coverage we needed. Ever since then, my coworkers call me, ‘The PR Martyr.’ I can make this same commitment to your organization.” What’s your brand? Name it. Market it.

Ten Rules for Building Your Brand Bio

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by William Arruda

When creating your career marketing tools, start with your brand bio. It will be a reference for all your other communications. Here are the ten rules for building a compelling brand bio:

1.   Know your brand. You can’t brand your bio until you have a clear understanding of your brand – your unique promise of value. Do you know what makes you differentiated and interesting?

2.   Make it unique. Your bio should be written such that it could only be used by you. That means choosing not only the words, but the style and emotions your bio conveys.

3.   Mix it up. Ensure the right mix of credentials, personality and interesting facts about you. You don’t have to put every detail in your bio.

4.   Seek support. You are expert in what you do, find an expert writer to ensure your bio exudes your brand and wows your target audience.

5.   Let your hair down. You have more flexibility to let your personality shine through your bio. Don’t be too rigid or too factual. Use this opportunity to become attractive to hiring managers, executive recruiters, etc.

6.   Compare it. Read the bios of your colleagues. What makes yours stand out? Could any of them put their names on the top of your bio?

7.   Be consistent. Ensure harmony with your other communications tools. Don’t look at your bio separate from your resume, cover letters, personal web site, blog, etc. All of your personal brand communications must work together to paint a relevant and compelling portrait.

8.   Test it out. The best way to learn what people think about your bio is to ask them. Get input from people who matter and refine your bio if necessary.

9.   Keep it current. As you progress in your career, you have new and exciting input for your bio. Don’t be selling yesterday’s news.

10. Spread the word. Create versions that differ in length and use your bio everywhere – on your personal web site or blog, in your e-network profile (LinkedIn, Ecademy, etc) at the end of articles and white papers you write, etc.

What’s your brand status? Take the quiz:

http://www.knocks.com/BrandingQuiz.html 

“Banned In All 50 States:” A Special Top-Secret, Powerful Job Hunting Technique

Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

By George Blomgren

There are career coaching services out there who advertise that they will teach you a powerful “secret” method for finding jobs. It’s a magical technique that will put you in touch with the vast majority of job openings, which never even get advertised. They’ll sweeten the deal by promising that this special technique will bypass the usual hiring gatekeepers and earn you a much warmer reception from senior executives than you’ll normally get.

This technique really exists. At the risk of giving away this valuable secret knowledge and earning the wrath of those who would sell it to you for thousands of dollars, I’m gonna give it up. It’s actually a common-sense technique that every job hunter can and should use. It combines networking and informational interviews.

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Love George’s article and he is right, networking works when done properly. Check out the rest of his article at this link http://tinyurl.com/go9vy. Enjoy! – W.

 

Milwaukee gains jobs in May

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By Joel Dresang – JS Online: Business Watch
The Milwaukee area improved its employment picture with a net gain of 8,200 jobs last month.

The state Department of Workforce Development reports this morning that the unemployment rate in the four-county Milwaukee area dipped to 5% in May from 5.2% in April and 5.1% in May 2005. The rate measures the percentage of the labor force actively seeking but not finding jobs.

Preliminary estimates of payroll data suggest the Milwaukee area had the state's largest growth in jobs last month but is still 1,100 shy of its mark in May 2005.

Early data from April showed metro Milwaukee 8,800 jobs behind its year-earlier employment, which was one of the highest deficits in the country. Figures released today updated the initial estimate for April, reducing the year-over-year comparison to a deficit of 5,000 instead of 8,800.

Seven of Wisconsin's 12 metro areas have lower unemployment rates than the year before. Eight have more jobs than in May 2005.

Of the state's 72 counties, 33 have unemployment rates lower than the same time last year.

In a separate report that is another sign of an improving Wisconsin economy, new applications for unemployment insurance benefits are running 15% behind claims from a year ago. The state Department of Workforce Development reports this morning that initial filings through June 17 came in at about 276,000, down from just under 325,000 the same time last year.

Continued claims for benefits from workers off the job for longer periods are 8% behind the year-ago pace.