Your resume has been sent, your cover letting has been attached, and... now what?
The waiting game begins.
Don’t get stuck constantly refreshing your email or checking your phone. Instead, you can proactively reach out to the employer! This can be a useful tactic, but it’s important to do so properly. You want to avoid making a poor first impression before you even get to the first interview. These tips will give you a place to start as you apply them to your unique situation.
Make a connection through your network
Like the old saying goes, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” We know that’s not always the case. But knowing people who can help put you in contact with the right people is certainly helpful! Take a look at your network and see who connects to the job you’re applying for.
Do you know people at the company? What about people in the same industry? Keeping relationships of all kinds can be helpful as you work towards your professional goals. You never know who knows who and can assist you in connecting to the people you are searching for.
Reach out via LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be key to finding out who you need to speak to and how to get in contact with them. Find the company you have applied to on LinkedIn and take a look at their listed employees. See if you can find the person listed on the job application (if there is one.) You can also look for Human Resources or recruiters, depending on the company.
Managing your LinkedIn connections can also be a way to get your foot in the door. Find the person you need to connect with and look to see if you have a mutual friend. If so, ask the mutual friend to introduce you! You will get to connect with your intended recipient and get some bonus points for an introduction by a mutual colleague. A win-win!
Do your research
Think about it- how often do you open and read an email from a stranger? Probably not very often. Cold-emailing might not be the best way to reach out to someone, but there are other ways to make it work!
This HubSpot article breaks down ways to get in contact. You can apply these strategies to your job search and application follow up process. Open this link in a new tab and save it for a future read. How To Find Almost Anyone’s Email Address (Without Being Creepy)
Now that you’ve made your connection, it’s time to start preparing for the big interview! Upward Prize is here to support you through every step of the process. We cover everything from mock interviews to pre-interview jitters and everything between! Send us a message today and start down your path to career success. You can reach us by calling 940-600-9928 or emailing info@upwardprize.com.
Lauren works as an Education and Employment Coach for a Department of Labor grant at North Central Texas College. She combines her background in marketing and leadership with a passion for helping others.
Lauren lives in North Texas and can be found writing, roller skating, or playing bass. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/laurenwjerome.
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