10 easy steps to land your dream job

As the client success manager for CareerTuners, I have had numerous cases where the clients are unsure about how to get their foot through the door. Here’s such an example of a client of mine, Emma. This is the email I got from her:

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Hi Fatemah,

There’s a very attractive Management Trainee position at a local Healthcare Institute and I know I would be perfect for the role. I really want this job and want to write a targeted cover letter, but I have no idea how to find the hiring manager’s name. Any advice?

Thanks for your help.

-Emma

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Emma knew that in order for her to stand out from the crowd, she needed a personal touch. She understood that she had to convey the message that this is her dream job. She did not mind going out of her way to deliver that message.

My response to Emma highlighted how she could achieve the personal touch in 10 simple steps:

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Hi Emma,

There are two routes you can go with this.

Easy Way (Lower ROI):

Using LinkedIn, look for someone who works in the Human Resources Department and simply ask them for the name of the hiring manager. The more junior the person, the better it is for you because they’ll be more willing to help (on average). Your note to them could look something like this:

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Hi Melanie,

My name is Emma and I was really interested in the Management Trainee position at your company. I wanted to write a targeted cover letter to the Hiring Manager there, but could not find their details online. Do you mind letting me know what their name is?

Thanks for your help!

-Emma

Hard Way (Extremely High ROI):

I learned about this technique in Aaron Ross’s and Marylou Tyler’s “Predictable Revenue,” and since then, have taught it to clients who have used it very successfully. This technique is used by the most advanced B2B Salespersons in the world, including those at Salesforce.com:

1. 1. As a Management Trainee, you will be spending a couple of months in every department and learning about the sorts of management problems this company faces. At the end of your training, you’ll be assigned a particular department to head. Think about the department you’d most like to work in. Then, using LinkedIn’s advanced search features, find someone who works in that department. Again, the more junior they are, the better.

1. 1. If they have their “Interests” section populated, use it as an icebreaker to start a conversation.

1. 1. Ask to speak to them about the work they do. Your message could look something like this:

——–

Hi Samantha,

I stumbled onto your profile when doing some research on Chocoglobal Inc. and see that you’re a Top Gear fan! I was devastated to hear they’re closing down the show, but then I heard Clarkson, May, and Hammond are putting together a new show on a different network. Hooray! Anyway, that’s entirely off-topic. The reason I wanted to reach out to you was because I was hoping to ask you a few questions about Chocoglobal’s new line of fire-mint candies. What would be a good time to call you? If you’re free when you see this, my number is 951.284.5404. Or, you can use this link to set up a call sometime in the future if you’re busy:

Have a wonderful day!

-Emma

——–

4. 4. When you get your new connection on the phone, start off as casually as possible to get them to feel comfortable with you. You want to build trust. Ask them how work is and follow up on the comment you initiated your introduction with.

4. 4. Transition to speaking about their work. Ask about the problems the company is trying to address as well as the opportunities they plan on capitalizing on.

4. 4. If your connection doesn’t have this information, ask her for a referral to someone who does. Now that you’ve built trust with her, it will be easy to get a referral.

4. 4. Once you have a good understanding of your target company’s direction, create a brief list of five solutions that you think would help them meet their goals. For instance, you could recommend software, processes, training programs, or further opportunities. (This is probably going to be the hardest step unless you’re very up-to-date on your industry’s trends. You might need to read up a bit on what is going on in your field to recommend solutions.)

4. 4. Ask your initial contact to refer you to the ideal person to go over your solutions.

4. 4. Address your cover letter to them, including your solutions in the body of the letter, and staple it to a copy of your resume.

4. 4. Keep in touch with EVERY one of your new connections and invest in their growth whenever you can. Don’t just “use and lose.”

If you do this right, you should get called to an interview because instead of simply going for the yes, you’re trying to cultivate a relationship with an organization that clearly needs your expertise.

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If you have any questions, let me know in the comments and I’ll answer them in as much detail as possible. Good luck!

For more information, check out these links:

• • How to keep your resume focused

• • “Should I hire a professional resume writer?” Yes, and here’s why.

• • The best resume writing services – how to choose and what to avoid

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