While most company-advertised jobs can be pursued using this model job-getting campaign, jobs that become known to you through other channels may require slight changes in the campaign procedure. For example, a friend may be your job lead and have you call an employer directly for an interview. In this case, you may be able to forgo the initial written job packet. Instead, you may be asked to bring a copy of your resume along to the interview. In another case, your job lead may be a personnel agency that also gets you an interview directly, without the need for mailing the written job packet. Then again, you may be self-referred to a company for which you would like to work. In this case, you could follow the model campaign closely by making initial contact with the resume and letter, or you could begin your campaign, instead, by calling on the phone or walking in and meeting the employment representative in person. Let's take a close look at each of the six steps in the model campaign:
STEP 1
First, send your resume and letter of application to the firm in response to the job advertisement. Seek the job interview with this written packet.
STEP 2
You may receive a phone call, letter, or telegram inviting you for the interview. If so, you can happily proceed to the next step. On the other hand, you may also receive a letter turning you down. In this case, don't waste any more time with that job; instead, follow up your next job lead. If you hear nothing in a few weeks and are still interested in trying again, you may send a follow-up application letter and a second resume. In this follow-up packet you should indicate that a resume had previously been sent but no response was received; then restate your interest in the job. Of course, you may also follow up by telephone if you have a specific name and number to contact.
In any event, the follow-up written packet is optional, depending upon your interest in landing that particular job. Consider the pros and cons of this follow-up. The company may have lost your resume, or you may have been screened out based on your resume presentation. Whatever the reason for no response, aggressiveness may be just the quality the company is seeking; and the follow-up may be just the device needed to get you that interview.
STEP 3
The interview is your opportunity to sell yourself face to face in a live setting. Be sure to have a pen and pad with you to jot down any interesting information, including the interviewer's name and position, for the purpose of following up the interview. Also bring along at least two copies of your resume. The interviewer may already have your resume at hand; but in case he doesn't, you should be in a position to offer a copy.
STEP 4
Unless the interviewer directs you not to send a follow-up letter, do so. It is basic courtesy to thank an interviewer for giving you the time. Therefore, use this opportunity to write a follow-up letter conveying your appreciation. Also, use this brief letter to (a) make favorable comments on any interesting points learned in the interview, (b) express greater interest in the job as a result of the interview, (c) mention another personal credential that you perhaps failed to mention in the interview, (d) reiterate your key credentials, (e) seek the status of your candidacy, and (f) express continued interest in the job. If you are invited for a second interview, repeat steps 3 and 4.
STEP 5
You may receive a job-refusal letter following an interview. If so, do not be discouraged; rather, consider that interview as a good learning experience that will help you pursue your next job lead. Then again, you may get a phone call, letter, or telegram inviting you to accept the job.
If you have been successful in lining up other interviews or are waiting to receive possible job offers from prospective employers, you may have to delay your immediate job-acceptance decision. In such a case, request that the firm giving you the offer now grant you a short extension to complete unfinished business and to consider the offer more thoroughly.
While many job seekers feel uncertain about making such a request, the fact is that a reasonable request to an employer who is interested in you, which is stated in a positive and courteous manner, will usually not harm your chances.
Begin the letter of delay with positive thoughts, such as an expression of appreciation for the offer and an assurance of genuine interest in the position. In the middle, give a reasonable explanation of the need for an extension to facilitate making your decision. Then follow with a specific request for an extension. End this letter with other positive thoughts. Be certain to keep this letter as positive, reassuring, complimentary, and clear as possible to offset any possible negative reactions created by the needed delay.
STEP 6
If, on the other hand, you find the job offer attractive and would like to accept it immediately, do so in writing with a well-prepared letter of acceptance. Open this "good-news letter" with an immediate acceptance of the offer and an expression of appreciation. In the middle, acknowledge the specific terms of the offer, explain any problems, and convey your plans. End the letter positively, appreciatively, and with a forward look to a successful employment with the firm. Keep this letter as positive as possible.
You may already have accepted another position when this offer is made. If so, inform the employer of your decision, expressing your gratitude for the time and consideration given to you. This letter of refusal should help keep the door open for possible future employment with that firm. Handle this letter appreciatively, and this appreciation may someday be repaid.
Hoping to receive a positive reply from you, the employer will likely feel let down by your refusal of the job offer. Your goal, then, is to help offset these negative feelings by providing a reasonable explanation of your situation. Begin the job-refusal letter with positive thoughts, such as an expression of appreciation for the job offer and perhaps a compliment. The middle part should be an acceptable explanation of your situation, phrased in language that minimizes the use of negative words and maximizes the use of positive words. Be careful to omit profuse apologies or expressions of deep regret and sorrow, for these strong feelings unnecessarily preoccupy your reader with negative thoughts and feelings-just the sort of message you're attempting to avoid. End the letter with positive thoughts, perhaps another expression of appreciation and a wish for future success.
As you can see from this explanation of the model job-getting campaign, logic, communication skills, and selling ability are all vital elements of the job search. Whether you are following up one or fifty job leads, the campaign provides you with an orderly and thoughtful procedure for accomplishing the work necessary for job-getting.
An aggressive and well-educated job seeker could conduct a number of campaigns at the same time. For example, in one campaign he could generate and follow up on thirty job leads found in the classified section of a major city newspaper, while in a second campaign he could mail out ten unsolicited application letters and resumes per week to firms around the country. In addition, he could conduct a third campaign in which personnel agencies generate leads for him.
