1. The manager asks you to send him a resume
Depending on the strength of your resume and the availability of free time, you will decide whether to send this document or describe your background in letter form. (If you have reservations about your resume, a hand-tailored letter will present your qualifications more convincingly and prevent you from being screened out.)
If you feel it would be advantageous to use a letter, explain that you're currently revising your resume but will immediately write a letter that outlines your experience. The manager won't object. He can ask for your resume at a later date should he need it.
Begin your correspondence by thanking the manager for the time he gave you. Next, state that a summary of your background follows, as per his request. Then present your experience in the broadcast letter format. Conclude by stating that you'll call in a few days to see when it might be convenient to meet. If you elect to send a resume, enclose a cover letter that begins and concludes as the letter above.
In the event that you're pursuing a position that requires an excellent appearance and you have the desired image, it can be helpful to submit your correspondence in person (assuming the company is located nearby). When you give the receptionist the envelope, ask if the manager is available. You might be able to meet him at this time. If not, he could inquire about your appearance and the receptionist's comments will increase the likelihood of an interview. The receptionist might even volunteer this favor able information about you.
2. The manager asks you to send a resume to the personnel department
Decide whether to send your resume or a letter. (If you'll be using a letter to outline your background, inform the manager.) Then ask if you may send the manager a copy Personnel is inundated with paperwork, and this guarantees that the manager will receive your correspondence in a timely fashion.
3. The manager tells you that he doesn't have an opening
Here most job-seekers make the error of thanking the manager for his time and ending the conversation. They forfeit the opportunity to develop leads and referrals.
Ask the manager if he knows of any companies that are looking for someone with your background. If he gives you a lead, ask for the name of the manager to contact. When you approach him, use this manager's name. This will give you credibility. Before concluding the conversation, ask if you may send the manager your resume for future reference. This will enable him to contact you if a position opens up at his company.
4. The manager invites you in for an interview
This is the response you were hoping for. You will have uncovered an existing opening or interested the manager in creating one.
Telephoning Managers in Response to Advertisements
If you read an ad you want to answer, the first step is to see if you know someone at the company, or have a contact who does, who can arrange an introduction. As already discussed, the best way to meet a potential employer is through a referral. If you don't know anyone who can arrange this meeting, the next step is to call the company and try to set up an interview with the hiring manager.
When an ad instructs you to contact a particular individual, but doesn't stare his title or the department in which he works, call the company to find out what his responsibility is. He could be the hiring manager. If he is, have your call put through. If he's not, call back in a few hours and ask for the manager to whom this position would report (your objective is to bypass all individuals other than the hiring manager). When making this call, however, don't introduce yourself by name. While some managers will welcome your initiative and be eager to meet you, others will disapprove of your aggressiveness.
When an ad asks you to respond to someone in the personnel department, O]' just lists a telephone number, call the company and find out the name and title of the person to whom the position reports. Placing this call can be especially effective when an ad requests applicants to respond to a personnel representative. If you're successful in setting up the interview, you may be able to generate an offer before the manager even receives the resumes that are being sent to personnel. This situation is most likely to occur, however, with entry- and junior-level openings. This is where managers tend to make the quickest hiring decisions.
When you first speak with a manager, explain that you read the company's ad and believe you have the desired background, and ask for an interview. If the ad stated specific requirements, mention your pertinent strengths and accomplishments and/or responsibilities. If the ad was vague, describe your background in general terms. Always have the ad in front of you with notes to refer to.
The following are the different situations you'll encounter with suggested responses:
- The manager asks you questions about your background
As you discuss your experience, ask the manager questions about the position in an effort to learn what its most important duties are. If you can obtain this information, you'll know which of your strengths, accomplishments, and responsibilities are most pertinent to the organization's needs. The sooner you bring forth these aspects of your background, the better your chances of setting up an interview.
