The recent economic downturn has made it difficult to establish yourself in your dream career. In fact, finding any job has proven to be a challenging task.
I decided to speak with Catherine Blake, founder and president of Sales Protocol. She recently taught the Career and Academic Resource Center (CARC) workshop “How to Land Your Dream Job in this Economy.” She shared with me how to better your odds in the job-seeking process.
In your experience, what’s the best way for people to secure the interview?
The cover letter is alive and well. Unless you deliver a solid cover letter demonstrating your strengths, credentials, and the value you can bring to the organization, you are going to get overlooked. Obviously, doing the research on the person hiring and organization to see how you are connected to them is huge. However you still need to deliver the goods via your cover letter to land the interview.
Remember, the prospective interviewer is going to Google your name to see what pops up, so leveraging your online brand to your advantage is brilliant. You are what you publish online. Be intentional.
What crucial things should you do after an interview?
I recommend a two-pronged approach. The first prong is an e-mail that’s more business-like, covering your favorable impressions of their organization and recapping some points made during your interview. The other prong is a handwritten thank you note on quality stationary to each individual you met with. You want to thank them for the opportunity and share what impressed you the most about them.
Now will you remember to get their business cards? I hope so!
What’s your advice for job seekers?
Job candidates have to remember that the prospective employer is the customer. We need to treat them with respect and make sure that we are running the ball down the field at all times. Demonstrating your leadership by being proactive, being prepared, and delivering value will show that you are focused and serious.
The best advice I can give is, “Honesty is the best policy.” Be honest. Be prepared. If you know your top five strengths, why not come up with a prepared story for each? Show me how you used your strengths on the job, in a school project, or in a volunteer capacity to deliver value. Get them thinking, “If you can do this for others, you might be able to do this for me.”
Are there any especially good job candidate practices that you have experienced in your professional environment?
The candidate who arrives well turned out, understands business etiquette, and is polite and professional to everyone they meet will score points. In addition, using resume folders with copies of your resume, cover letter, and reference list is a best practice that I insist on. Bring at least five resume folders fully loaded to leave behind. There is rarely just one person who wants to look you over.
Prepare for the tough questions and make sure you know and can honestly answer what your blind spots are and what you’re working on. We all have them and it’s better to identify what they are and admit that you’re not perfect than to try to hide things only to have them come up once you are on the job. For example, I do lots of writing, but I am weak on proofreading. This is why I team up with someone who can proof my work before it goes to press.
How useful are networking events? How should job seekers approach these events and what should you do at an event like this?
Networking events are hugely important. The goal is to get the other person’s contact information so that you can connect with them on LinkedIn and other social media, make a favorable impression, and deliver value. Most importantly, our goal is to ask how you can help them succeed. Also, please remember that the other person is there to network, so be brief and move things along so that they can meet others in the room. You can always arrange a meeting when you’re back in the office.
Also, don’t drink. You would be amazed at how much information you can gather when you are fully alert and on the top of your game. Find out what the other person does, make sure you get a card, and ask how you can help. Then move on.
CARC workshops focus on many different topics, ranging from study skills to career advancement. Workshops are offered in the fall and spring semesters, so make sure to check back on the website to see what will be available!