The biggest mistake that job seekers make is not following up! Job seekers constantly complain that companies, networking leads, and others they reach out to, never contact them. The reason this occurs is due to non-existent follow up techniques.
You've heard the adage - the squeaky wheel gets the oil? If you're gently, but firmly, persistent enough and follow up consistently, you will be successful.
Have you ever sent your resume to a website and waited patiently for weeks and months, but never heard back? Did you send your resume to a Human Resources Director or Recruiter and finally gave up? Have you called a person in your network, or sent an e-mail a time or two, and just assumed they didn't want to talk to you?
If you can answer yes to any of those questions, the problem stems from poor follow-up.
See, everyone has a high degree of responsibilities - exhaustive work schedules and many personal committments... you name it, our plate is full. Couple that with family and other responsibilities, there seems to be little time left for other things. However, we always seem to find the time to do what really matters to us.
That's why I encourage you to be very, very relentless in contacting recruiters, HR professionals when necessary, reaching out to decision makers, networking professionals, etc. You must follow up. Here's an example of a follow up conversation:
"Hi Susan. My name is Bill Jones and I posted my resume at your company's website three weeks ago, and I also faxed it over to Jenny Smith in your HR Department. I am really excited about speaking with your Vice President of Sales about my qualifications and 15 years in sales management. I've sold the same products your company sells, and have generated over $250 million in sales.
I wanted to do two things. First, verify that you do, indeed, have my resume. Secondly, I want to see where you are in the process of interviewing. Do you think I could go ahead and schedule a time to visit with your VP of Sales?
Since you're an insider in the HR Department, what advice would you give to me that would be helpful in reaching out to the decision makers? What should I do next?"
Now that you've got her name and have established rapport, follow up with her again and again. I'd do this every few days - perhaps every 4 to 6 days.
The message I want to convey is the power of following up. Never leave it up to the other person to contact you. Take every initiative you can to contact them.
This is not a great time to exercise your patience, it's a great time to be assertive and follow up your resume. Following up is one of the most important tools you have, use it wisely!
JoAnn Nix, Certified Professional Resume Writer / Career Coach
[email protected], , 1-800-265-6901www.agreatresume.com
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