By Gili Malinsky
If you’re applying for a job, it may seem like all there is to it is making sure your resume reflects the language of the job description, your cover letter explains why you want the position, you’ve had multiple people read both — and then, finally, you’ve sent in all of your material.
While those are all crucial steps in the job application process, there is one more step that comes after applying which “everyone fails on,” says Nolan Church, former Google and DoorDash recruiter and the current CEO of Continuum, a talent marketplace for executives. That’s following up the application with a message on LinkedIn and a personalized email to the company hiring manager and even its CEO.
When Church was at DoorDash, CEO Tony Xu would get such emails and “he would forward them directly to me every time,” he says, adding that “probably 90% of the time, we took calls with those people.”
Even if the company you’re applying to is Amazon and you’re sending an email to Andy Jassy, do it, Church says. He might not be the one reading that email, but someone on his team could see it and forward it along to HR or even a VP.
Here’s how to go about writing these messages and why he thinks they’re critical.
Explain why you’re a perfect fit for the role
In terms of how to go about writing these messages, start with LinkedIn, says Church. Add the CEO and hiring manager on the site and send them one sentence saying you’ve just applied to this role. Then look for their emails on social media accounts or the company website.
“For somebody who’s a CEO of the company, it’s usually first name at company domain name dot com,” says Church.
In your emails, introduce yourself and what you do, reiterate that you’ve applied for this role, explain why you’re a perfect fit then explain why you love the company, says Church. Ideally, some of this will be reflected in both your resume and cover letter already. “You could do that in six sentences,” he says.
You could also attach your application material to the email.
‘It’s the thing that every hiring manager cares about’
Why is this communication so critical?
First, “because no one else does it,” says Church. And it’ll make you stand out. Second and just as important, “it’s the thing that every hiring manager cares about,” he says. “Why are you a good fit for the role?”
A recruiter’s job is to find the person that will perform best in the role they need to fill. If you’ve gone the extra step of explaining why you are that person, you’ve done part of their job for them. Plus, it shows that “you’re doing research, shows that you actually want the job and are committed to getting it,” he says.
“In a perfect recruiting process, both sides are assessing each other,” says Church. “And if you have already started that process, you’re actually making my life a lot easier.”
So Why Biomed?
What considerations would lead someone to choose to become a healthcare technology management (HTM) professional?
How to Use TikTok During Job Search
I’ve written a lot about the important role LinkedIn can play in the career search. But recently, I’ve learned that TikTok is becoming a key part of that process.
Networking – Stepping Into Your Circle
If you are just starting out in the HTM field, you may feel obscure. Perhaps you think that you don’t have much to offer. That’s ok. The more people you interact with in this industry, the easier it will be to find your fit.
Why Mentorship is Important
Mentorships always have been an important aspect of getting a foot in the door and climbing the career ladder. But many people from underserved communities don’t have the connections often needed to find someone to help them along.
Internships
Finding the right internship can be a challenging part of getting started in any business, and healthcare technology management (HTM) is no exception.
How has the term ‘culture fit’ evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Will you fit in with the culture of the company you’re interviewing with? That has been a topic of conversation for quite some time, but as COVID-19 upended the workplace and brought remote work to the forefront, the definition of “culture fit” has been upended too.
A Good Offense – Showing up for an Interview
Be prepared to speak about your intangible gifts indirectly. Show more than you tell. Speak truthfully, confidently, and casually about your skills and capacities.
Will Turning Down Job Offer Close Door Forever?
I recently spoke with someone who turned down one job offer with a company he greatly respects in favor of another job that will help him expand his skill set and…
Make the Interview Match the Resume!
If you’re an HTM student struggling to write a resume for an entry-level position, here’s how to craft your story so that your experience, education, character, and soft skills can emerge through a one-to two-page resume.
Positive Thinking
In a career-sense, what does “think positively” actually mean? How does someone practice positive thinking?
