NETWORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT YOU KNOW ARE HIRING

In a previous post, I discussed networking and how contacting companies who you know are hiring can be an effective part of your job-hunting program.  I told you that I would provide a sample letter that could be used to develop your own for this purpose.

Now understand, this is not a substitute for the networking that we have talked about before.  Contacting company executives to arrange information-gathering meeting and expanding your contacts in your target industry is a critical part of any effective job-hunting strategy.

In this case however, we are combining your review of published want-ads (in the newspaper, Wall Street Journal, or New York Times, among others) with the approach you take in developing your employment network of contacts.  This is a more targeted approach with keys on the content of the want-ad, and the indication that it holds that the company running the ad is indeed hiring.

If a company is advertising for a Marketing Manager, then there is a possibility that the company is also looking to fill other marketing or sales positions.  The same is true if a company is advertising for production managers, maintenance engineers, accountants, or research scientists.  There could well be other positions in the same general discipline that the company is trying to fill.  You, of course, cannot know that for a fact, but it is certainly worth the time it takes to write a letter to the department head or manager to see if other opportunities exist.

If not, you’ve added another name to your industry contact list.

Here is an example of a letter that you can use to contact a manager who might know if his company has openings it is trying to fill:

Mr. Harold P. Jackson

Director of Marketing

Eloquent Corporation

234 Carriage Path Road

Hudson Hills, Missouri  63009

Dear Mr. Jackson,

As a Regional Sales Manager for Megalith Corporation, I noted your ad for the Marketing Manager position that appeared in the January 13, 2010 issue of the Wall Street Journal. 

While my background in sales might not be exactly what you are looking for in candidates for this position, I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my background with you and the possibility that there might be other positions at Megalith Corporation where my background and experience may be useful.

I have known Megalith Corporation as a leader in the chemical industry, and see employment with your company as an opportunity to contribute to its continued growth and leadership in the industry, as well as a opportunity for personal growth in my career.

I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your review.  I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at a convenient time to discuss my background and possible opportunities in sales and marketing at Megalith Corporation.

With this in mind, I will plan on calling your early next week to arrange an appointment.

Sincerely,

Quentin Hollister

You can find the name of key people at the company by looking them up in various directories  or other sources (State Industrial Directories, materials in the research section of your public library, on line directories like ReferenceUSA, etc.).

You will want to include your resume with this letter, unlike the networking letter we discussed before.

Mail it…DO NOT E-MAIL IT!  This is a time to be as personal as possible.  You need to make sure that the manager you are writing to knows you care about working for his/her company, and that you are personally inquiring about available employment.

Try this.  I think you will find it effective, and yet another useful too as you seek your next employment opportunity or career change.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know at execmgmt.search@gmail.com.