Buzz
In order to secure the job you’ve always dreamed of, you sometimes need to take the initiative and ask for it directly. Whether you're just starting your career or looking for additional work during the summer, it's vital to make a memorable impression on the potential employer. This means dressing appropriately, communicating clearly, and maintaining a positive, resilient attitude that showcases why you're the perfect fit for the position.
Steps to Follow
Securing the Role You Desire
Identify the right person to contact. Start by doing some research to determine who is responsible for making hiring decisions within the company you're interested in. In smaller businesses, this may be the owner, but for larger corporations, it could be an HR manager or staffing director. Reaching out to the right person is your first step in getting noticed.
- For most retail or service positions, you can simply walk in and ask to speak with a manager.
- If you know someone within the company, ask them for advice or to help facilitate a meeting with a hiring decision-maker.
Take the straightforward approach. When you get the opportunity to speak with someone influential, be clear about your interest in working for them. Demonstrate your eagerness, enthusiasm, and readiness to contribute. Chances are, they’ll appreciate your proactive attitude.
- The key is to be confident but not overly aggressive. Avoid making demands or coming across as entitled.
- Start with a statement like "I believe I could be a great fit for your company" or "I’m confident my skills and ambition would be a valuable addition to your team."
Send an email. Don’t forget to include your resume, a personalized cover letter explaining your interest in the position, and a link to the job listing if available online. Many companies now initially screen candidates electronically, so this will be your chance to make a first impression. Reaching out directly through email is often more personal than submitting your resume through generic job portals.
- Make the subject line clear and to the point, like "Application for Senior Editor Position."
- Be polite, professional, and prompt when corresponding through email, as hiring managers pay attention to communication skills.
Arrange a face-to-face meeting. Sometimes, the person offering the job may be a friend, acquaintance, or former colleague. In such cases, it's generally acceptable to meet casually to discuss the opportunity. Choose a time that works for the employer and be ready to talk about yourself and your career goals.
- Set up the meeting by calling or contacting them ahead of time.
- Even if it’s an informal conversation, make sure to arrive early and dress professionally.
- Don’t assume that personal connections guarantee a job. Treat the meeting with the same respect and professionalism as you would any other job-related interview.
Making Yourself Appealing to the Employer
Highlight your qualifications. Share your experience and background in the relevant field. Include details about your most recent roles, as well as any education or volunteer work that could be of interest. Don’t expect the hiring manager to immediately recognize the value of your qualifications—explain how your skills will benefit the company.
- Instead of just listing what's on your resume, tell the employer how those experiences can be applied: "As you can see, my four years of teaching have given me valuable experience working with diverse groups."
- If you lack direct experience, emphasize qualities in your personality that would make you a strong fit for the job.
Show your potential value. Don't wait until you’re hired to start demonstrating your worth. Be proactive by letting your contact or interviewer know exactly how you can contribute to the company. This shows initiative and indicates that you’ve seriously considered how you would fulfill the role you're seeking.
- Capture the employer’s attention with ideas for improving efficiency, a sample of your writing, or an example of a project you’ve worked on.
- Often, this can be as simple as mentioning past successes like "In my previous position, I helped revamp the employee onboarding program," or suggesting future initiatives such as "I’m excited to see how working in a more organized kitchen will refine my cooking skills."
- Offering a glimpse into the kind of work you do can highlight your practical abilities, making the employer more confident in their hiring decision.
Express an interest in the company. Learn about the company’s background, objectives, and products or services to better understand their mission. Then, tailor your pitch to emphasize the qualities you possess that align with their goals. Employers are more likely to take a chance on someone they feel genuinely cares about the company.
- Make it clear that you're interested in working for their company specifically, not just any organization.
- Avoid saying things like "I just need a job" or "I heard you're hiring." Instead, show that you’re actively pursuing this particular position.
Build a connection. Highlight shared experiences or mutual contacts with the person you're speaking to. If a mutual acquaintance referred you, be sure to mention their name as someone who can vouch for your character. Networking is a crucial part of job hunting because it signals that you can be trusted.
- Introduce your connection in a natural way, such as saying “My friend Christina mentioned how much she enjoyed working with you,” or “My uncle has been a loyal client of yours for years.”
- However, avoid relying too heavily on name-dropping to get hired. You should secure the job based on your own merits, with a little help from your mutual connections.
Use inclusive language. Rather than referring to yourself in the singular, try using words like “we,” “us,” and “our.” When you speak as though you're already part of the team, the person you're speaking to may begin to visualize you as such, which could increase your chances of landing the job.
- Pay attention to whether the other person begins to use plural language as well. This is a good indication that you're making a positive impression.
Ask about the next steps. If you’re hesitant about directly asking for the job, you can still keep the momentum going in other ways. Before ending the conversation, inquire about the next stage of the hiring process. You could ask something like, "When would be a good time for me to follow up and discuss the details further?"
- Ask for feedback so you can gauge how you did and identify areas for improvement.
- For most employers, showing that you're eager to follow through on next steps is a positive sign that you're invested in the opportunity.
Presenting Yourself in a Professional Manner
Make an effort with your appearance. Before your interview or casual meeting, take some time to choose attire that fits well and is suitable for the situation. You want to look polished without being too laid-back or drawing too much attention. Don’t forget to comb your hair, brush your teeth, and ensure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.
- Aside from the basics, remember to wear deodorant, clean under your nails, and keep facial hair neat or trimmed.
- As the saying goes, “dress for the job you want.” If you look the part, it’ll be easier for employers to picture you in the role.
Communicate with clarity and confidence. Aim for a tone that is both approachable and professional. When you're not speaking, make sure to listen attentively without interrupting. The conversation should feel comfortable for both parties. Respond thoughtfully to questions, but avoid oversharing or talking excessively about yourself.
- Avoid stuttering, mumbling, or using filler words like “um” or “ah.”
- If you're reaching out for a job by email, double-check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Always proofread your message before sending it.
Stay persistent. Just because you don’t receive an immediate job offer doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. The position might not be available yet, or the decision-makers may need more time to evaluate other candidates. Follow up with a phone call or email a few days later to express your continued interest and enthusiasm.
- Confidence is key. Sometimes, what you lack in experience can be offset by your self-assurance.
- While perseverance is important, remember that you should be prepared to accept rejection gracefully.
- If you don’t land the job, thank the interviewer for their time, then regroup and focus on the next opportunity.
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Always initiate contact with the company yourself—whether through phone, email, or an in-person visit. Don't rely on others to make the inquiry for you.
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If possible, try to arrange an in-person meeting with your potential employer. This way, they can get a sense of your personality, beyond just your resume.
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At the end of a formal interview, directly ask whether they would consider you for the role. There’s no point in being vague—you both know the reason for the meeting.
Important Warnings
- Don't beg or grovel if you’re not offered the job immediately. This could irritate the employer and make you seem desperate.
- Never reach out to someone for professional matters via their personal phone number, email, or social media accounts unless they have explicitly given you permission to do so.
