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.”
Initiative – The Key to Achieving HTM Career Goals
In order to advance anything in any direction, you need a clear goal.
The HTM Profession – Extra-Ordinary Possibilities- in-house or field-service?
There’s more to choosing a career path than the types of technology that interest you. What lifestyle is right for you? Where do you want HTM to take you?
Preparing for Uncertain Times
How can spouses balance their careers? It’s a topic that came to mind when a friend’s successful, recently married daughter started looking for a new job.
Should you Bring up your Spouse’s Job Search During an Interview?
How can spouses balance their careers? It’s a topic that came to mind when a friend’s successful, recently married daughter started looking for a new job.
How to Decide Between Two Job Offers
I recently spoke with a friend whose daughter has to decide between two job offers very soon. One is a very good position at a very reputable firm in the town she most wants to settle in. The other is a similar position at what is considered to be a more prestigious company – but it is in a different state
How to Handle When your Boss Takes Credit for your Work
I recently read about a survey from BambooHR that asked employees what they consider unacceptable boss behaviors. I was surprised that it wasn’t something like “my boss overloads me with work” or “my boss constantly criticizes what I do.”
How to Recruit and Retain BMET Career Changers, Prep for Gen Z Workforce
For the past decade, the looming retirement crisis for BMETs has been at the forefront of the industry’s mind. It is apparent that there are multiple ways in which we need to recruit talent to sustain our field for the long term. Perhaps the key to attracting more people lies in the many different paths individuals can take to become a BMET.
Can You Hold Off on Accepting a Job Offer?
You get a job offer almost immediately after an interview, but have interviews lined up with other companies. How long can you wait before giving an answer? And should you mention you’re also interviewing for other positions?
How Honest Should You be in an Exit Interview?
Preparing for an interview is something most job seekers are always a bit nervous about, so it’s something they take time to prepare for. But what about an exit interview?
What Should You Do After Sending the Wrong Resume?
Resumes and cover letters are usually tailored specifically to each individual job listing. What happens when an applicant hits “send” and realizes soon after that they’ve attached the wrong resume or cover letter?
