• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

4. Restructure your online resume (Do 15).

Facing the Fictional Facts

Are web sites created by employers to find top candidates slanted? Of course they are! Imagine yourself as an offeror in an online situation. You can’t see the jobseekers. And truly you don’t want to see them either. All you want is the perfect candidate to magically pop up on your computer.

That’s what the site builders try to accomplish. But it’s like virtually everything—virtual or ritual—in the interviewing process. The more efficient the system, the more it screens you out. We don’t do dat.

S-o-o-o, let’s discuss . . .

Getting Screened In

Here’s how to write a reply e-mail that will make them pick you out:

1. Write it as a personal note. But begin by talking about the business, not about yourself:

Your online posting intrigued me because it’s exactly the type of position I’m seeking.

2. Directly state what you’ve done and what you want. Nothing vague: After more than five years as a customer service representative in the automotive industry, I’m excited about moving into a management position.

3. State your qualifications—but only the ones that specifically apply to this job and this business.

4. Ask for a reply.

5. Sound enthused! (Be bug-eyed! You’re trying to enthuse digitally.)

6. Conclude with:

I appreciate you considering me and look forward to hearing from you soon. Best personal regards, Jillian J. Jobseeker

Jill’s smart. Note that she doesn’t sign it “Best Personal Regards” (or “Yours Truly” instead of “Yours truly”) but keeps the capital letters down to the proper minimum. Most people don’t pay attention to good writing form in e-mail. You should.

She’ll get an instant interview. You will too. All you needed was to find the right sites.

Overflowing with online offerors!

Do 17: Getting Personal to Get Interviewed

It’s a great strategy to target a business where you want to interview. Even better to know someone on the inside!

A personal referral to someone who works at the business is a big foot in the door.

Let’s start with a letter.

Maximizing the Referral

Use it for all it’s worth. Wave it like a flag, march in instantly, and get interviewed. You march in with three steps:

1. Lead with the name of the referral. Average jobseekers don’t. They’re doing maneuvers out in the offeror’s parking lot. Don’t bury the name at the bottom of your letter. Use it like the bayonet it is:

My colleague Rhoda Referral suggested I contact you regarding the copy-writer position.

Or . . .

Our mutual acquaintance Rhoda Referral asked me to call you to inquire about joining Motomotive Manufacturing.

2. Follow up with facts about yourself and how you fit—fast. Please don’t ever tell anyone in the workingworld that you’re on a career path. (Yuk! How soon will you be back on the path again?)

3. After stating your specific goal, state:

In my two years at Alfred Advertising, I’ve written copy for Collegiate Cars and other major accounts.

4. Close with Rhoda’s name again at the end of the letter.

Something like:

I’ll let Rhoda know I contacted you and will call you next week to arrange a meeting.

That’s all you want—an opportunity to meet (interview). Instantly. The rest will take care of itself.

Mentioning the Referral in the Interview

Here are some more ways to use the name shamelessly (better than to shame namelessly) during the instant:

1. Be cordial, but not too familiar. When you accept the offer, this contact will become a co-worker or boss. So keep your professional detachment.

2. Don’t reveal your salary expectations. If you’re asked just about current salary, just say something like “I would expect to be paid com-men-sur-ate-ly with my con-tri-bu-tion to Motomotive.” Interview etiquette demands that you be savvy. Don’t press your fiscal face against that salary screen, attempting to shoot blindfolded at a moving target.

3. Expect the offeror to tell