reach the hiring manager

(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

Track Down the Hiring Manager

Presented by Donna Shannon720-341-8229

www.PersonalTouchCareerServices.com


The Personal Touch Career Services

• Our Mission: To help job seekers of all levels achieve their employment goals through solid, practical advice and services

• Resume services, interview coaching, job search strategy and group classes

• Over 8 years in corporate recruitment & placement

• Donna’s book, “Get a Job Without Going Crazy” is available on Amazon.com and the Tattered Cover in Denver


Important note:

• This presentation is modeled on a posted job.

• Unposted jobs follow the same procedure– Except your leads are self-generated


NOBODY WANTS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MASSES

Solution: The Personal Touch


THE HIRING MANAGER WANTS TO HIRE YOU

They just don’t know who you are yet


The Personal Factor

• Managers want to hire:– Someone who is enthusiastic– Knowledgeable about the industry– AND…

Who really understands their NEEDS


Key information you better find

• Managers want to hire someone who knows the company:– Corporate mission– Their products and services– Their competition– Their challenges


FIND THE PERSON TO GET PERSONAL

Your first challenge: find that name…


Resources for finding that name:

• Company’s website• News Sources• Networking Groups• Social Media


Resource #1: the Website

Start with the job description

Look for:Report – to’s DivisionsLocations

Senior Human Resources I nformation Systems Advisor

RTM , is currently hiring for a Senior Human Resources I nformation Systems Advisor person to support the Human Resources department from their Denver, Colorado global head office.

The holder of this role must have an overall understanding of the strategic objectives of Rio Tinto and the business unit, its values and its operational activities in order to understand labor and skills requirements and business / individual standards; Human Resources Systems are an effective tool for managing sensitive employee data; are cost effective and value adding; drive a high performance culture and enable the organization to attract and retain high caliber employees. The Sr HRIS Advisor reports directly to the Vice President of Human Resources. The successful candidate will be able to:


More on the website:

• Other pages to mine:– Management team– About us– Blog posts– News or Media Room


Resource #2: News and Media

• Focus on local sources:

– The Denver Business Journal• Data base of many local and national companies• www.denver.bizjournals.com

– Colorado Business Magazine• http://www.cobizmag.com/

– The Denver Post• Mainstream News• www.denverpost.com

– Westword• In-depth cultural impact• www.westword.com

http://www.denver.bizjournals.com/

http://www.cobizmag.com/

http://www.denverpost.com/

http://www.westword.com/


Sample of Denver Business Journal


Resource #3: Networking Groups

• Obvious target: – a direct connection to the hiring manager (aka the

Holy Grail)

• More likely:• Current or past employee of the target company• Someone who knows someone at the target

company


What to ask former and current employees:

• Names of managers• Hiring procedures • Company culture• Company challenges


Other Cool Websites

• Glassdoor.com• User reviews of companies and their interviews

• Zoominfo.com• Recruiters’ tool for company research

• Manta.com• Free data-rich company information

• Professional Associations• Look for the volunteer Board

• Chambers of Commerce


Resource #4: Social Media


Missed the target manager?

• ALL senior managers are your target

• Send resumes to ALL possible decision-makers


SO YOU GOT THE NAME…Now what?


DON’T Contact yet…

• Don’t ask for an introduction

• Don’t send an Inmail through LinkedIn.com


Get to know your target as a person…

• Interpret their LinkedIn profile

• Look for LinkedIn involvement

• Check out their Twitter feed

• Google for the dirt


LinkedIn Profiles• Look beyond the basics and read the summary..


Profiles: Groups and Applications

What do they care about? What message are they sending?


LinkedIn.com tip:

Having trouble seeing details on profiles?• Join large groups for your location and

industry


Profiles: Past Experience• Can you relate?


Profile: Additional

Information

If you get lucky, they may tell you about personal interests…

And contact information


Speaking of Twitter…• Get more insight into interests, personality and

professionalism.


Twitter and the company profile• Compare the hiring manager to the company


Google: what’s the buzz?• The Company

• The Names


NAILING THE CONTACT INFOHow you reach them is just as important as what you say


Reach out and touch someone…

• Direct Email• Snail Mail and Variations• LinkedIn connections


Determining the email address

• Scrutinize website for patterns

• Call the front desk– Magic phrase: “I’m sending an email to So-N-So’s but I’m not sure

if I wrote it right. Is it [email protected]? “


Proven Personal Touch Method

• Send a hard copy directly to the manager– Targeted cover letters can win the assistant

– Variations for impact:• Priority Mail ($4.90 for flat rate envelope)• Express Mail or Fed Ex (average $14.95 for USPS)• Courier Service (varies - $20 to $30)


Important note:

• Paper Rules:– Use high quality resume paper– Light color– High quality printing

Your worth WILL be judged by the presentation


Showing up in person

• Can be a risk:– Receptionists are guard dogs– Be sure to dress appropriately– Give resume in sealed package marked

“Confidential”


WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR COVER LETTER

Grab ‘em and hold ‘em


Personal Cover Letters

• Must always include:

– Understanding of the company– Passion for the job– How you can help by:• Solving problems• Making money• Saving money


Understanding of the industry sample

• Start with current news

• Write about your understanding of the industry

• Tie in your personal experience

• Ask for the job your want

• Conclude with your contact information


NO RESPONSE?The game’s not over yet


What the hiring manager does…

• He will call HR, not you– Resume resurrection– Ensures you will get a diligent interview


Essence of the Personal Touch1. Find the name

2. Figure out who they are

3. Get your resume in their hands


www.PersonalTouchCareerServices.comdonna@personaltouchcareerservices.com

Social Media:www.LinkedIn.com/in/donnashannon

www.facebook.com/Donnashannon.careercoach

Twitter: @DLShannon

Networking Group on Meetup.com: Brown Bag Job Search Group

The Personal Touch Career Services

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnashannon

reach the hiring manager

Technology

denver c2010

challenges c2010

needs c2010

personal touch c2010

media room c2010

selfgenerated c2010

human resources department

hiring manager