Job-hunting in your native habitat


If Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 wants you to practice stealthy cover letter maneuvers and ninja-like resume writing, I'd rather wear a pith helmet, ready to exclaim "Crikey" like a certain Australian naturalist when first observing a dream job -- then go after it. I'm calling it my plot, prepare, pick strategy.

I didn't dress up like David Livingstone, but I did use safari-like tactics when I targeted my internship. First, I researched prospective companies in my area that fit my interests and career path. I followed them on Twitter. I read their blogs. I've created Google news alerts for them so I can track their industry activity. In short, I've stalked them like a cheetah stalks an unsuspecting antelope on the Serengeti, except I'm a lot nicer and less likely to feed on your carcass.
So how did I finally net my internship? The company tweeted about a summer internship opportunity. I mentioned the tweet in my cover letter, didn't disguise the fact that I wasn't a college student, and they seemed to respect my bluntness and acumen for Twitter. As I mentioned in a previous post, I opened my cover letter with a (true) story and set it up to explain why I should be the firm's newest intern. I also prayed a lot about it. After the interview, the firm asked me to start sooner than the summer -- immediately.

I'm using the plot, prepare, pick strategy from now on. It's given me way more options to choose from, and a chance to work at a job I love.

Comments

  1. FaerunnerFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    I could use some help with cover letters, if I ever find a job worth applying to (as I am working now, it's not urgent, but I do want to move on eventually. Cosmetics is not my first choice of careers!). What's your best cover-letter tip?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    Women are much more likely than men to have gaps in their resume because it is not uncommon for women to take time off from work to care for a sick or aging relative, to have children, or to go through periods of under-employment or unemployment for various other reasons. Sadly, however, hiring managers will see this “resume gap” as a red flag and will want to know why you took time off from work. Learn more:

    employment tips

    ReplyDelete

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