Today's employers want you to address their needs and their self-interest -- NOT your own need for a job and an income. Employers are trying to stay in business and survive in this terrible economy. Many have been forced to declare bankruptcy. So, please write and speak and focus on what they want to hear. Ask yourself: WHAT WILL BE MUSIC TO A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER'S EARS IN 2011?
What are a particular employer's most urgent needs? If you can succeed in finding that out (or guess the most likely answer), you will be well on your way to getting hired. If you can help any employer to save or make money, you will be a valuable person to have on board -- in ANY economy. So put yourself into a make or save money mode every time you need to write or speak to any party who has the authority to hire you. Address these subjects in your resumes, cover letters and during all interviews and meetings.
Recently, the president of one New York company wrote a letter to the New York Times that contains valuable advice for every job seeker -- from entry-level to senior executive.
"All businesses are looking for people who can produce more sales or profits by correcting or improving operations. Recession does NOT affect that kind of hiring -- not even the Great Recession.
"If I had applicants who would 'ring the cash register' after they came on, and who would lower our operating costs or increase the productivity of our efforts, I would do a lot more hiring. So would many others. I know how Presidents and CEOs think...
"So, what can and should a job seeker like you do? TARGET a company you want to be associated with and study it. Research it. Talk to some of its customers. Try to analyze and find out what some of its problems are -- in your area of competency. Figure out how you would solve them...
"Search out the executive at the company who has responsibility over the area that interests you. Write to that person. Outline the problem you have researched and the solution you would propose. Present yourself as an applicant to handle that assignment and maybe others like it... Which employer will refuse to meet with you for a few minutes, if only out of curiosity?
"When you research the company, study its customers and their relationships with the company. Customers are one of the best sources of information about a company. If you explain what you are doing, they are often willing to provide the information you are looking for...
"PEOPLE WHO HIRE, RESPECT THIS APPROACH. IN FACT, WE ARE READY TO HIRE SUCH APPLICANTS."
During your meeting with such a prospective employer, an effective strategy might be to show him or her that you have already solved a problem or problems (challenges) similar to those facing him or her now and that you obtained very quick results.
But be very careful and tactful. You want to come across as someone who is capable of solving the particular problem (or rather, the challenge) without appearing to be a smart aleck or too "clever". No employer enjoys being told how to run his or her business.
Always remember, you are there to help and should not be seen as posing any threat (either real or perceived or imagined) to the person you are asking to hire you.
Bosses are under constant stress to meet or exceed their company goals and objectives. They also suffer from all sorts of hidden anxieties and insecurities, one of which is not having the latest college degree and/or not being too familiar with the state-of-the-art techniques being offered by recent and younger graduates. They also tend to be 45+ years old on the average. Most senior managers do NOT surround themselves with younger staff who might later outshine them. Only the stronger and very self-confident ones would risk that.
Please E-mail or call me for a FREE consultation or price quote.
mattgreene@aol.com
Tel: 1-718-436-3504
Copyright, 2006-2011 by Matthew Greene. All rights reserved.
Tags:
TO GET HIRED, INCREASE SALES OR PROFITS
RESEARCH AND OFFER TO SOLVE A PROBLEM
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