GUIDELINES FOR INCREASING YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A JOB
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD JOB SEARCH?
In The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search: The Proven Program Used by the World's Leading Career Services Company, Orville Pierson recommends that a good job search week for someone who is unemployed would include:
25 - 30 hours of work
15 - 30 contacts
1 - 2 new contacts with decision makers
Follow up contacts with decision makers
5 - 50 letters, notes, and e-mails
If you are employed, you can cut the numbers in half.
He also says that a good response from advertised jobs (both Internet and newspaper) is 1 in 50. If your rate is better than 1 in 50 you are doing well.
Harvey MacKay says to expect to send 200 resumes to secure 1 interview.
INCREASING YOUR CHANCES
Call the company and get the department name, name of the head of the department, exact title of the person, address, phone number, and fax number - if possible call 1-800-555-1212 for free 800 listings - or find this information on the company website.
Department heads change very quickly so it is important to call to verify the above information.
Try to by-pass the Human Resource Department or send a resume to more than one department.
It is best to e-mail your resume to the Department Head or President of the company and then send a hard copy.
One week after the resume is mailed, call the Head of the Department that you would be working under to make sure that your information was receivedand try to arrange a meeting.
If you can, purchase a new blue or gray suit for the interview - this will increase your confidence - make sure it is professional looking.
Always give a firm handshake upon arriving and leaving the interview.
Find out when and how you can expect to hear about the decision of the employer before you leave the interview.
Make sure that you get the names, titles, and departments of all involved in your interview. Send a thank you/follow-up note or letter within 24 hours after the interview.
