How to get your phone RINGING!
Coach T
Ok, this is a bit painful to write, but here goes.
If your phone isn't ringing with job leads or requests for interviews it may be because:
1. You're relying on recruiters too heavily for job leads.
2. You're making it too hard for employers to figure out why they should call you.
or,
3. You're not taking advantage of your valuable network.
Don't rely on recruiters to "match" you to jobs or figure out where you fit with respect to job openings.
Understand this - recruiters work for employers and their jobs are to fill job orders with closely-matching candidates. When I used to work contract jobs, I would request a detailed description of the job requirements. I would also inquire about the interviewer/final decision-maker. The better the relationship I had with the recruiter, the more information I could obtain and the better job I could do of ensuring my resume reflected both the technical and soft skills the employer expressed as important. So, I learned early to develop relationships with a few recruiters during my assignments, so when something came up, they would think of me. I also sent leads to the ones I liked, even if they didn't have anything for me. Worked well for many years.
There you have it. Recruiters can be great allies, BUT, you have to understand who they really work for and how to develop relationships that are mutually beneficial for both of you.
So, don't take it personally if our phone isn't ringing off of the hook right after you send your information to recruiters. If you don't hear from them, it probably just means you weren't a good fit….for now. Stay in touch, but don't put too much of your time and energy into constantly following up with recruiters. Trust me, if you're a good fit, they'll be sure to call you!
Don't rely on employers to try to "match" you to jobs or figure out where you fit in their companies.
Quite frankly, they want you to spell it out for them in ways that they can relate to. Think about it. When you go to the store to make a purchase and you're trying to decide on a product, what do you do? Usually, you look at the "features" list and pick the one that makes you feel better about buying it. And the entire time, you're probably thinking "Does this feature address what I'm looking for?" The more "yeses", the closer the product is to going home with you. Every "I'm not sure" or "no" will ensure the product's chance of being put back on the shelf.
So it is with employers who have to quickly review your resume along with possibly hundreds of other resumes.
If you're not networking, you're missing out on the greatest number of job leads.
Although you shouldn't rule out any method of applying for a job (yes, online included), nothing beats personal contact. I've seen jobs get snapped up within a few days of opening, simply due to word of mouth--never made it to the Net or the newspapers. Can't stress this enough--get out and meet people! You just don't know who your circle of contacts comes across. You may be surprised at the opportunities from which you're just a few "degrees" away. Moreover, referrals from acquaintances beat resumes from strangers hands down.Please give it a try!
Questions about this topic? Click here.
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Time to step up!
