If you’re hoping for a
job at a business like the one I cofounded — Of a
Kind, where a team of four sells the pieces and tells the stories of
emerging designers — then here’s something you should know: The hiring process
is very different from that of a company with a massive human resources
division. So how do you get yourself noticed and employed? Below are 11 things
that will make you stand out.
1. Pitch yourself right out of the gate:
The most frustrating
inquiries I get are the ones from people asking how to apply
for a job. If a small company is hiring, you better believe everyone working
there is basically drowning. If they aren’t hiring right this minute, the
inquiries that catch someone’s eye are the ones from people who seem like
go-getters, self-starters and all of the other things people claim to be in
interviews but so often aren’t. So prove your efficacy here and now: Write a
three-paragraphs-at-most email that expresses your interest in any current
openings or ones that might exist in the future, what you’d bring to the table
and why you think that this biz is such a star. Include a link to your website
and/or attach your resume — bonus points if it’s one page.
2. Read up:
Dig into that “Press”
tab on a company’s site; Google them; watch videos with the founders. Not only
will understanding a company’s goals and motivations give you fodder for an
interview when that time comes (fingers crossed!), but it will also help you
shape a cover letter and sell yourself.
3. Know who you’re talking to:
Odds are, you aren’t
emailing an HR department — you’re reaching out to someone who is your
(hopefully) future boss. So don’t you dare kick off a cover letter with
"To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager?" Dig up
an email address for the person you’re hoping to target. Guess — who cares if
you get a bounce-back? — or write to info@company.com and address the person
you hope is on the other end.
4.And know how to speak to that person:
Every company has a
voice, and, when it comes to small companies, that voice is very likely shaped
by the person or people behind it — not a brand manager or copywriter. Emulate
this voice in your cover letter and correspondence. But here’s the trick: Going
too far down this road can backfire — you can come off as zany,
trying-too-hard, or just out-of-sync with the company’s vibe if you don’t
totally nail it. So stay professional, and if you fear you might be pushing
things too far, well, maybe you are.
5. Don’t go overboard with resume design:
We’ve never been
offended by a plain, boring resume — but we have been turned off by ones that
go design-y with loud fonts and splashy backdrops and, as a result, convey an
aesthetic that doesn’t mesh with ours.
6. Push what you can contribute — not what title you
want:
If there’s not a job
opening listed and you’re reaching out blindly,position yourself as a Jack/Jill-of-all-trades who’s ready
to dive into anything and everything. Then spell out what skills you have
that would benefit the company and demonstrate your range. If you’re hoping to
be the fifth employee at a company, the crux of your job might be marketing,
but you should be prepared to pitch in on all fronts — and you should sell your
ability to do so.
7. Don’t say that you’re looking for a new job:
That’s made obvious by
the fact that you’re reaching out in the first place! It also makes it sound
like you’d accept any gig that seemed better than the one you can’t wait to
leave (which, fine, maybe you would — but no one needs to know that). The
company you’re approaching wants to feel special — like you can’t imagine
working anywhere else. Express that, for you, it’s not about just breaking into
an industry or working at a startup but rather that it’s the magic of this very
impressive company. Just try to say that in a way that’s not so kiss-ass-y, if
possible.
8. Make sure your social media activity is up to snuff:
You most likely don’t
need to do a dramatic overhaul here, but you should probably make sure that, no
matter where you’re applying, you haven’t put out a dozen negative tweets in a
row. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to emphasize what about you makes
you such a good fit for the company you’re approaching. Dying to work for a
cooking app? Drag that Pinterest board of recipes to the tippy-top of your
profile.
9. Follow up a meeting with a thanks and some genuine
feedback:
Yes to a handwritten
thank-you card — but yes to a same-day email follow-up as well. Just a nice,
short note reflecting on something that was discussed or sharing a quick biz
dev thought will do it.
10. Be a super-user:
Demonstrate how
hardcore you are by using the crap out of the service. You don’t need to be a
super-spender if the company charges for its services, but it’s hard for us to
believe that anyone is an Of a Kind diehard if she’s never bought a single
thing from our site.
11. Proclaim your affections before you ask about jobs:
You know what’s
amazing as a business owner? To get an email from a customer or user who just
wants to say he or she appreciates what you’re doing — and asks nothing in
return. If you’re utterly obsessed with a company and would dream of someday
working there, write to the people behind it and don’t attach your resume.
These are things people remember — or that their inboxes remember if they
search for your name when you apply for a gig later. At the very least, it’s
good karma.
Source : http://mashable.com
