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Top three rules for happy job-hunting
Shawna Simcik //January 18, 2013//
John Maxwell once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
It’s true! One of the biggest mistakes that job seekers can make is demanding that a stranger care about their job search! When writing an introduction email to a stranger, whether they are a hiring manager, recruiter or an influencer in the community, remember these three simple rules.
1. Do your Research – Google, Yahoo, Bing, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, etc. There really is no excuse for not taking the time to research the person that you are addressing the letter to – what do they do for a living? what is their area of focus? Demonstrate that you have taken the time to research the company or the individual and do not address it “to whom it may concern.”
2. Personalize the Letter – Once you have researched the individual to whom you are sending the email, do not . . . I repeat, do not . . . cut and paste your cover letter into the body of the email. Take the time to personalize the letter and demonstrate why the person should take the time to read the email, peruse your resume, or, most importantly, pick up the phone and spend time out of their very busy schedule to help you. Tell them how much you care . . . as Maxwell so eloquently stated.
3. Be Authentic – Don’t lose your personality because you are writing a formal introduction –Show a little of who you really are while also demonstrating why they MUST chat with you. Even in an email setting, we are still human and connect on an emotional level. I’ll trust and appreciate the information if it sounds like an authentic note.
Don’t be “just another job seeker” – take the time to care!! Happy Job Hunting
