Anonymous writes:
I read your article on Job Hunting Cold Calling. I’ve been employing this strategy for a few weeks and have had great success in getting the names of hiring managers and answers to specific research questions. But, once you reach out and contact the senior executive who’s hiring for the position, what’s the best approach in beginning and conducting this conversation? I’m interviewing for senior positions in marketing (i.e., VP, director, 17+ years of exp). I can manage all of the other conversations, but I’m stumped when I get to this point. I need something more than, “ask for an interview.”
The Career Doctor responds:
A quick review for readers, because I still believe cold calling should be part of any job search (along with networking at the top of the list, and reviewing and responding to job postings). Cold calling is a proven method of finding employment — but you need to follow these steps to be successful:
- Compile a list of all companies that you might be interested in working for.
- Research and gather the names of the people who have the power to offer you a job.
- Write and send a dynamic cover letter that will get the attention of each hiring manager.
- Contact the people you wrote to in the third step — and ask for an interview.
Cold-calling works better at lower levels, but it still has potential for someone at your level. I suggest you take the approach of using cold calling more for networking purposes, which may indirectly lead to job interviews. Use cold calling to increase your visibility in the field. Instead of asking for the interview, ask about having a meeting, doing a lunch, or playing a round of golf.
Want to know more? Read the article that inspired the question. Go to: Cold Calling: A Time-Tested Method of Job-Hunting.
