Dave Walker wrote:
Great advice, all!
I wanted to ask Nate more about his strategy of reaching out to hiring managers:
Nate W. wrote:5) Always reach out directly to hiring managers when networking or applying to a company.
This indeed seems like a good idea, and straightforward enough to do when networking. But how would you best go about it when you are applying for a job? Do you approach a hiring manager and ask: "Do you have any openings?" or "tell me about XYZ job you have?" Do you skip HR and forward your cover letter and CV to the manager?
Dave,
The HR system of recruiting via applicant tracking systems and low level recruiters is broken. Many professionals, including me, will tell you that the response rate for applying online through HR is about 1-5% regardless of qualifications. In my opinion, it is an utter waste of time. If you are spending 100% of your efforts doing this, you are taking the wrong approach. However, if you contact the right manager and gain his favorable attention, your interview rate will increase substantially. Actually, I have found it quicker than the whole online ad and skill matching routine if done correctly.
With that said, I don't entirely ignore HR. I make sure to apply online for one position; so they have my resume in the database and just in case someone in HR or management asks. However, rarely does a manager ever ask. If they do ask, ask for a name and then call the HR manager and say manager (his name) told me to call you about X positions. This tactic is done to avoid stepping on any toes in HR. Plus, now you have a referral that HR will possibly listen to.
Then I go around the HR and gatekeepers using any honest way possible. I focus on managers who are 2-3 levels above where I should be employed. As Dave has said before, most managers don't care how they get your resume. The key is to get their direct phone number and email. Sent a concise email and then follow-up with a phone call. I use a combination of informational interviews and getting referrals to focus in on the right individuals within that organization. Sometimes you miss the mark, contacting the wrong person. Just ask them if they know anyone working in a specific department or given field within the organization. Get the name and call that person, telling the X person suggested I speak with you. You can do this more quickly on the phone than by email. If there is a solid connection and your skills are right......"You bet: Yes, ask them about jobs. Nothing ventured nothing lost." Start at the top and work your way down the organization but not too high up; this is better than working your way up.
Be aware, there are some professionals, especially HR recruiters, who think this approach is unprofessional and pushy. HR is just protecting their turf. However, if you are polite, the problem is with them if they get upset, especially if you have already applied online. Once, a manager who I called seemed a bit upset about whether I applied online. My comeback was "Sure did, got any good candidates from HR lately?". After laughing, he said, "not a damn one!"
Thus, contacting managers directly leads to better results, leads, and referrals.
See post:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10266
Look at the videos and Nick's comments
Statistics: Posted by Nate W. — Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:44 pm