But ask a true job-search guru what he'd do to locate an ideal position, he'll reply, "First I'd make a list of all my contacts to inform them about my desire to change companies. Then I'd subscribe to the National Business Employment Weekly to ensure I was on top of the job openings in my field and level around the country. I would call a few executive search firms where I knew someone. Then I'd create a list of potential employers for a selective direct-mail campaign."
Ads play a role in every candidate's campaign. However, instead of assuming the classified section of a newspaper is the key to uncovering the best opportunities, enlightened candidates think of this resource as one of several in their arsenal of job-search techniques.
If you plan to make want ads a part of your job hunt, you'll need to tailor your cover letters and resumes to what each employer requires. While this may seem obvious, relatively few people bother to make this effort. It's likely that many of your friends and colleagues have complained about never receiving replies to their resumes. Perhaps you, too, have grumbled about rude employers who don't bother to acknowledge your correspondence. Yet before you become too indignant, ask yourself if you adhered to the job seeker's golden rule. Have you dealt with prospective employers as you expect them to deal with you? If you want the courtesy of an individualized reply, you must be thoughtful enough to craft a customized letter yourself.
Many want ads generate hundreds of replies, the majority of which have little in common with the requirements requested. You don't have to be a member of Mensa to realize that the only responses that will capture an employer's attention and generate interview appointments are those that speak specifically to the company's needs. This is doubly true if your resume is screened by a computer programmed to search for "key" words.
Do the potential employer-and yourself-a favor by replying only to those ads that are closely aligned with what you want and have to offer. Papering the world with semi-relevant cover letters and resumes annoys recruiters and wastes time, energy and money you could be spending more productively taking contacts to lunch.
Interpreting an Ad
To ensure that your cover letter and resume contain what your screener (human or otherwise) is seeking, carefully comb want ads for key words and phrases that shout, "Use me or die [ignominiously in the round file]!" These words and phrases are pretty easy to spot, even for novice job seekers. For instance, review the following ad. Can you identify the "open sesame" words that your cover letter and resume must contain?
Fortunately, this ad begins with a short description of the company, which makes it relatively easy for you to do some research about the organization to customize your first paragraph. The company is a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores
McLane Company, one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., is the largest distributor of food products and general merchandise to convenience stores and a wholly owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart. This position will be based at our Kissimmee, FL distribution center.
Human Resources Manager
This position reports to the Division President and is responsible for employment, salary and benefit administration, safety and training, employee relations, employee enhancement programs, and other HR related duties.
Qualified candidate will have an undergraduate degree and 4 years progressive experience as a Human Resource professional, as well as a primary focus on controlling health insurance through plan design and administration.
Our competitive salaries are complemented by an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and life coverage, 401(K) plan, stock purchase program, and more. For confidential consideration forward your resume with salary requirements to: Employment Manager, P.O. Box 6115, Temple, TX 76503- 6115. Fax: (817)771-7547.
Inc. and references in most libraries and on-line computer services should provide plenty of background on it.
The McLane Company is one of the fastest growing firms in the U.S. This statement indicates that the recruiter will be interested in a human resources (HR) person with experience in a fast-paced company developing systems to accommodate growth, dealing with changing organizational structures and recruiting good people. If you have this type of background, you'll have an edge over candidates from companies that are already at the top of their market curve.
It is the largest distributor of food products and general merchandise to convenience stores. If you have HR experience in wholesaling or distribution to retail stores, especially large chains or franchise operations, McLane will be particularly interested in you.
This position reports to the Division President. This company takes its HR function seriously. Reporting to the president would make you a member of the executive committee. If you want high visibility and the opportunity to affect long-term corporate strategy, this job is for you.
This person is responsible for employment, salary and benefit administration, safety and training, employee relations, employee enhancement programs and other HR related duties. McLane is looking for an HR generalist. If you're a specialist in one of these areas, but have little or no experience in any of the others, the recruiter probably won't recognize you as a qualified candidate. A person from a smaller organization who has had her fingers in all of these pies probably has the best chance of getting an interview.
The company wants someone with an undergraduate degree and four years of progressive experience in HR. Unlike many potential employers, McLane isn't hung up on specific or advanced degrees. If your degree is in anthropology but your experience is relevant, the company will be interested in you. How refreshing!
Consider this next statement carefully, because it deals with a hot issue. McLane particularly wants someone who'll primarily focus on controlling health insurance through plan design and administration. If you've developed a quality management program, explored or instituted self-insurance, negotiated successfully with a health-care provider or found another innovative solution to holding down health-care costs, be sure to mention it in both your cover letter and resume.
