k4_pacific (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} k4_pacific) wrote,@ 2007-08-18 00:34:00 |
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Finding a Job
I want to write about something today that I'm sure is important to many of you. That is, how to get a good job at a good company without networking. You could spam resumes all over town, but that takes a lot of time and effort, and, unless you are the best ever at what you do, yours won't stand out. The best way to get a good job is to know the right people. However, if you are fresh out of school, or are trying to break out of the service sector, you probably don't know the right people yet.
So what do you do?
Disclaimer: I've never tried this, but it might actually work.
First, decide what company you want to work for. Feel free to be picky here. This should work on just about any mid-sized to large company out there, unless they are extremely paranoid.
Secondly, find out their published phone number.
Chances are, it is probably 555-5000 or somesuch. Usually, this number leads to a switchboard operator or voice mail tree. Most companies have their phone numbers in blocks with the first three or four digits all the same. So instead, try dialing 555-5311 or something with the same first few digits and you'll get the phone on some random person's desk.
"Omnicorp, this is Debbie Little in accounting."
Be polite polite polite, but chatty.
"Hi Debbie, my name is Joe Blow and I was trying to reach someone about applying for a position with your company, but I think I have a wrong number."
"Oh, Mr. Blow you'll want to talk to Janet Johnson in human resources."
"Oh, do you know Janet?"
If you're lucky, Debbie knows Janet casually and you can find out a few things about her. Try to chat Debbie up as much as you can. Be friendly, don't interrogate, but find out everything you can about Janet, especially her phone number. Don't let Debbie transfer you, get Janet's number. Chances are, Debbie has a boring a job and will talk to you for a while. If you don't get what you want, call another random phone number. If it becomes apparent that Debbie and Janet are close friends or immediate coworkers, call another number. You don't want the two of them discussing you.
Finally, call Janet.
"Omnicorp, this is Janet in human resources."
"Hello Janet, my name is Joe Blow and Debbie Little in accounting recommended calling you about a position with your company."
Note that I never claimed to know Debbie, only that she recommended calling Janet. Don't lie here. Hopefully, Janet knows who Debbie in accounting is, but they don't hang out together or anything. Again, it's better if this doesn't come up at the water cooler or lunch table.
"Oh, did she? Let me get you some information about applying."
Chances are, Janet is overworked, and won't follow up with Debbie, but your foot is now in the door.
I want to write about something today that I'm sure is important to many of you. That is, how to get a good job at a good company without networking. You could spam resumes all over town, but that takes a lot of time and effort, and, unless you are the best ever at what you do, yours won't stand out. The best way to get a good job is to know the right people. However, if you are fresh out of school, or are trying to break out of the service sector, you probably don't know the right people yet.
So what do you do?
Disclaimer: I've never tried this, but it might actually work.
First, decide what company you want to work for. Feel free to be picky here. This should work on just about any mid-sized to large company out there, unless they are extremely paranoid.
Secondly, find out their published phone number.
Chances are, it is probably 555-5000 or somesuch. Usually, this number leads to a switchboard operator or voice mail tree. Most companies have their phone numbers in blocks with the first three or four digits all the same. So instead, try dialing 555-5311 or something with the same first few digits and you'll get the phone on some random person's desk.
"Omnicorp, this is Debbie Little in accounting."
Be polite polite polite, but chatty.
"Hi Debbie, my name is Joe Blow and I was trying to reach someone about applying for a position with your company, but I think I have a wrong number."
"Oh, Mr. Blow you'll want to talk to Janet Johnson in human resources."
"Oh, do you know Janet?"
If you're lucky, Debbie knows Janet casually and you can find out a few things about her. Try to chat Debbie up as much as you can. Be friendly, don't interrogate, but find out everything you can about Janet, especially her phone number. Don't let Debbie transfer you, get Janet's number. Chances are, Debbie has a boring a job and will talk to you for a while. If you don't get what you want, call another random phone number. If it becomes apparent that Debbie and Janet are close friends or immediate coworkers, call another number. You don't want the two of them discussing you.
Finally, call Janet.
"Omnicorp, this is Janet in human resources."
"Hello Janet, my name is Joe Blow and Debbie Little in accounting recommended calling you about a position with your company."
Note that I never claimed to know Debbie, only that she recommended calling Janet. Don't lie here. Hopefully, Janet knows who Debbie in accounting is, but they don't hang out together or anything. Again, it's better if this doesn't come up at the water cooler or lunch table.
"Oh, did she? Let me get you some information about applying."
Chances are, Janet is overworked, and won't follow up with Debbie, but your foot is now in the door.
