How do you make contact with an internal recruiter or hiring manager for a target company? Obviously it's best to have a contact who knows you within the company, but if you don't have one, what is the best way to get your resume in front of the decision makers? Is it even a worthwhile exercise (i.e. does it increase your chances of getting an interview)?
My company has been in bankruptcy for 2 years and I'm basically laying off my entire team in the next couple of months (some already gone). In each week's staff meeting, I've been covering various topics from the interviewing series, career tools, etc. These are concepts I normally wouldn't get a chance to discuss with my directs, so it's been kind of liberating that I can be so open with these topics.
I've covered many of the basics (resumes, common interviewing questions, etc.) but this question came up and I want to give my team more information about the steps they can take early in the process to increase their chances of getting an interview. I know that's the purpose of the resume, and I know the cover letter can help, but it's not always an option if applying online (and who to address it to, anyway?).
Certainly there are other strategies to increase one's chances. I've been advising them to do a lot of the legwork on their own rather than simply sending their resume to contingent recruiters. But just posting a resume on a job board (even the company's website) seems to be a low-probability approach. I've pretty much listened to every podcast ever published by Mark & Mike, but it's possible I've forgotten about a helpful episode.
These are all finance/accounting analysts -- some are flexible on location, others not (if that changes anything).
Thanks very much.
start with company bios
Many companies do their hiring from behind a firewall of Internet anonymity, which means you'll have to work hard to avoid starting your cover letter off with "Dear job_foo_12345@craigslist.org," or the only-slightly-better "Dear Acme Industries." Obviously, the best situation is to know the name and contact information of the hiring manager for a given position, and to have a mutual associate make introductions for you. If your network doesn't extend into the company that interests you, tand if you are a college graduate, log in to the alumni page of your alma matter and search the alumni directory for people who work at that company. Network with those people.
Still no dice?
1. Most companies with a decent Web site will have a page or section with biographies of the staff. If you're having trouble finding this page, look for a site diagram, use the site's own search field, and then run a Google search on "staff, bio, about us, site:acmeindustries.com," which will tell Google to search only that company's Website. Some companies (US law firms come to mind) list biographies of every person who works there, but most companies only give details on the department heads. If you don't know which department to write to, write to the head of Human Resources. It's not the end of the world if your cover letter/resume ends up going to the boss of the hiring manager.
2. Sometimes, the company's Website only lists the biographies of the founders and C-level executives (CEO, CFO, President). They're probably too highly-ranked to be getting your cover letters. So, your next step is to look for company press releases. Most companies make their recent press releases available from their homepage (or within one click). Write down every name and title you can find: "'We feel great about this quarter's results,' said Sue Smith, Acme's VP for Investor Relations." Read every press release you can find. It's good background information even if you don't get the name you want.
3. Still no luck? Search the Website of the hometown newspaper. If Acme Industries is located in Philadelphia, you'd go to the Philadelphia Inquirer site and you'd search for Acme Industries. Reporters love to get quotes from local companies.
Don't start here....
Hi buhlerar,
this is one of those questions for directions when I want to say, I wouldn't start from here. This kind of situation is why we tell you to build and strengthen your network all the time - so it's there when you need it.
That said, a couple of thoughts:
Work what network you have. Tell everyone you know, at school, at church, your neighbours, that you're looking for a new opportunity. Email everyone you're in contact with. Stay light and breezy, but remind them once a month or so - I'm looking for an opportunity to do X in Y industry, if you hear of something or you know someone who I could talk to, please let me know. It sounds random, but you just don't know. Someone asked me recently about an opportunity in Cork. I know no-one in Ireland, but my aunt does, and she's in the right industry. The person who asked me could have had no idea that that was the case. Use everything you have.
If you do post a resume to the company's job board - try and find a phone number somewhere on the site. Phone to 'check you received my resume'. That'll give you an opportunity to talk to someone (even if it isn't the right someone, be nice - they will report to the right someone), and find out what the process is, and perhaps who is involved. Ignore the 'please don't contact us' warnings. If you're nice and brief, no-one will mind.
Don't ever rely on one method of job search. Job boards and company sites are pretty low-probability, but so are hiring managers, recruiters, personal contacts and spec letters. Go for as broad a spectrum of approaches as you can, and keep at them. Set your target as 10 or even 20 applications a week. To some extent, it's a numbers game.
AFFMOFFA had some great ideas for getting names. Google Maureen Sharib if you want more - she's a professional name sourcer for recruiters and she has really effective methods for getting names.
Wendii
LinkiedIn
LinkedIn has profiles for companies as well as people. Initially these were just cobbled together from profiles of people who work there and publicly available information but now many companies are maintaining their profile. If you are a LinkedIn user you can search for a company, see it's profile, see if anyone of your connections (1st, 2nd or 3rd level) work there and see who else works there. This might give you a name for the person you're looking for, you may also find that one of your connections knows someone working there and can introduce you so you can get the inside scoop.
If you aren't already a LinkedIn user it's probably worth becoming a member for the other advantages as well. Just remember that it's not a substitute for a real network, although it's a useful tool to help build your network.
Stephen
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Skype: stephenbooth_uk | DiSC: 6137
"Start with the customer and work backwards, not with the tools and work forwards" - James Womack
Thanks for your suggestions
I really appreciate the input. Sorry also for the delayed acknowledgment. I'm not receiving email alerts for thread updates so I didn't realize my question had prompted any response. I should have known better -- very helpful group as usual.