The worst thing you can do when looking for a job is to pick up
the phone or write a letter and ask if they've got one. The answer, 99
out of 100, would be a firm "No!"
If the company has taken out an ad inviting a response, then of course that's a different story. Then you need to address all the points mentioned in the ad and send in a formal application.
But let's say you "hear" things about this one company that they "might" be hiring, even tough there is no official word on it, yet. Or perhaps that's one company that you'd really like to work for. What do you do?
Simple. You don't ask for a job. You ask for INFORMATION.
You adopt the role of an information seeker and not that of a job hunter.
Your goal is to get an interview but not as an "unemployed person."
You are someone who is researching his or her "career alternatives". That's who you are. Don't forget this crucial self definition because it's going to affect the way you approach and talk with your future employer.
Identifying yourself as a "career alternatives researcher" rather than an "unemployed job seeker" will set you up in a position of strength.
First, identify the correct party to call. This should be a decision maker; someone who can either approve your employment decision or at least influence it by his reference. It's no use calling the night janitor or the part-time accountant in the finance department, so to speak.
Then, call (email) this person and tell him and her this:
"The reason I'm calling today is I've always been fascinated by your company [organization; agency]. I'm writing a white paper [or, making a research about] your line of work and I wanted to know the secrets of your success. What makes you the industry leader in [ABC widgets]; how do you work; how do you organize your processes; how do you hire staff... It'd be great if we could get together for ten minutes for my research. Would such and such a date be good for you? etc."
The truth is you ARE actually making a research about this company because you'd like to be employed there. However at this point you should leave the matter of employment to the other person, without pushing it in any obvious manner.
Once the other party is impressed with your eagerness and energy [as well as, hopefully, your credentials, education, and work experience] he or she might offer you a position automatically. In real life such offers take place more often than you might think.
Sometimes an indirect approach is a lot more effective than a head-on attack, especially when it comes to nailing down that precious job-interview-that-is-not-a-job-interview. When the balance of the conversation is not hanging on a definite "yes" or "no," both parties would be more relaxed than usual. Within such a friendly atmosphere you'd have more chances of selling yourself to your prospective employer.
If the company has taken out an ad inviting a response, then of course that's a different story. Then you need to address all the points mentioned in the ad and send in a formal application.
But let's say you "hear" things about this one company that they "might" be hiring, even tough there is no official word on it, yet. Or perhaps that's one company that you'd really like to work for. What do you do?
Simple. You don't ask for a job. You ask for INFORMATION.
You adopt the role of an information seeker and not that of a job hunter.
Your goal is to get an interview but not as an "unemployed person."
You are someone who is researching his or her "career alternatives". That's who you are. Don't forget this crucial self definition because it's going to affect the way you approach and talk with your future employer.
Identifying yourself as a "career alternatives researcher" rather than an "unemployed job seeker" will set you up in a position of strength.
First, identify the correct party to call. This should be a decision maker; someone who can either approve your employment decision or at least influence it by his reference. It's no use calling the night janitor or the part-time accountant in the finance department, so to speak.
Then, call (email) this person and tell him and her this:
"The reason I'm calling today is I've always been fascinated by your company [organization; agency]. I'm writing a white paper [or, making a research about] your line of work and I wanted to know the secrets of your success. What makes you the industry leader in [ABC widgets]; how do you work; how do you organize your processes; how do you hire staff... It'd be great if we could get together for ten minutes for my research. Would such and such a date be good for you? etc."
The truth is you ARE actually making a research about this company because you'd like to be employed there. However at this point you should leave the matter of employment to the other person, without pushing it in any obvious manner.
Once the other party is impressed with your eagerness and energy [as well as, hopefully, your credentials, education, and work experience] he or she might offer you a position automatically. In real life such offers take place more often than you might think.
Sometimes an indirect approach is a lot more effective than a head-on attack, especially when it comes to nailing down that precious job-interview-that-is-not-a-job-interview. When the balance of the conversation is not hanging on a definite "yes" or "no," both parties would be more relaxed than usual. Within such a friendly atmosphere you'd have more chances of selling yourself to your prospective employer.
If you are interested to read about technical writing as a career and how it can help you earn a steady living, visit http://www.learntechnicalwriting.com.
Join the thousands who are already helped and inspired by this
information provided by a Fortune 500 Senior Technical Writer. Visit
today and claim your free report "How Much Do Technical Writers Make?"
Dr. Ugur Akinci is a Fortune 500 Sr. Technical Communicator http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/
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Dr. Ugur Akinci is a Fortune 500 Sr. Technical Communicator http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/
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