By Marilyn Stika, CMF 

 

Conventional job search strategies such as submitting a resume to a job posting on the internet are rendering themselves ineffective in the current challenging economy with its oversupply of qualified people to fill job vacancies.  This has caused us as Career Management professionals to think in more creative ways about how our clients can successfully negotiate the job market to achieve desired results.

By Marilyn Stika, CMF 

 

Conventional job search strategies such as submitting a resume to a job posting on the internet are rendering themselves ineffective in the current challenging economy with its oversupply of qualified people to fill job vacancies.  This has caused us as Career Management professionals to think in more creative ways about how our clients can successfully negotiate the job market to achieve desired results.

 

 What suggestions can we offer our clients to create the competitive edge that they will need to increase their chances for being the candidate of choice?   Below are ten strategies for clients to use in their job search. 

 
 

1. Beginning with good marketing tools such as resumes, Value Propositions and web portfolios.  They need to be designed to generate the interest of the reader immediately or contain the appropriate key words to provide a solid marketing foundation.
2. Uncovering an organizational issue in the targeted company and writing the President or appropriate key person a letter outlining a solution and requesting a meeting to speak about it further in person.
3. Scouring public records such as 10Ks to gather information and compare that information to the company’s competitors to produce a report or brief White Paper that demonstrates suggestions for narrowing the operational gap to more successfully compete in the market place.
4. Touching base with past colleagues on LinkedIn or other social media venues to request a meeting.  This can generate warm referrals.
5. Sending a targeted mailing containing a cover letter and resume or Value Proposition  to selected companies that would have a high interest in your experience and following it up with a telephone call to set an appointment.  The key here is to have a script that communicates a compelling message to heighten the interest of the recipient.
6. Creating a personal branding statement to use in networking and on job interviews.  If you can effectively communicate what makes you the best fit for the position, it may make the difference between being overlooked or selected.
7. Requesting three professional acquaintances at companies where you have an interest to act as references and send them your resume so that they will be familiar with your experience.
8. Following a company of choice on Twitter.  Becoming a fan of the company where you wish to achieve employment can only help.
9. Attending alumni functions and reconnecting with former classmates or attending any function where you can network and ask each person with whom you speak what is challenging them in today’s economy.  This is an effective way to uncover needs and perhaps create a situation where you would be of value.
10. Utilizing social network tools such as LinkedIn and Jigsaw to identify key people to connect with in organizations. 

 
 
 
SEND A THANK YOU AFTER RECEIVING A REJECTION LETTER

By Marilyn Stika, MSOD, CMF
 
Most applicants are disappointed upon receiving a rejection letter from a prospective employer where they have interviewed for a position.  I say, the best defense is a good offense.
 
Why not send a thank you note for each rejection you receive?  For one, it will keep your name in front of the person.  Also, if the position should reopen, and this happens more often than you may think, the decision-maker will, more times than not, remember you.
 
A case in point is an actor who auditioned for a major part in a movie and was rejected for the role.  Shortly thereafter, he visited a bookstore where saw a book that he knew would be of interest to the Director of the film.  He purchased the book and sent it with a note saying that he was sorry things did not work out but he thought she would enjoy the book.
 
It just so happened that on the day that the Director received the book, the lead actor was not able to accept the role due to a scheduling conflict.  You may have figured out by now that the actor who sent the book was called back in and accepted the role.  Had he not sent the book, who knows what may have happened?
The morale of the story, do not burn bridges; and, even if you do not get selected, leave the lines of communication open so that if an opening does occur, you will be remembered.
 
(For more information on what to say in a thank you for a rejection letter, please contact me at chartyourcourse@msn.com)
 
 
 
 
TEN INNOVATIVE JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES 
Click here to add text.