Top Five Ways to Get “In” to a Company

Getting a job isn’t just about presenting a beautiful resume to a number of high quality organizations. It’s also about getting a foot in the door to begin with, and using that first step to your advantage. Here are five tips for getting an in with a company in your job search.

5. Be nice. Never underestimate how important being nice to people is. Just smiling at the receptionist, or saying please and thank you, can be the difference in getting a job.

4. Value patience. Sending an email a week isn’t going to remind people you’re an excellent candidate, it’ll only aggravate potential employers. Give companies a little space. One follow up is fine, and will usually serve to reiterate your interest in the position. More than that. however, is likely to hurt your chances and alienate those who will help you get an in.

3. Make vocal contact. Unless a posting specifically says no calls, try picking up the phone. I know it can be scary, but it’s harder to hang up the phone on someone than it is to ignore an email. Buck up and get on the phone, you might find yourself in small company, which will help you get noticed.

2. Get creative. This article from Forbes illustrates an excellent example of being creative in your job search networking. Creativity is almost always welcome and a great way to get a foot in the door of a new company with whom you may not be familiar.

1. Network, network, network. If I sound like a broken record talking about networking that’s ok–because it’s that important. Networking is your best way to get past just a resume and a cover letter in your job search. While networking, don’t overlook the people lower on the totem pole at a company. They may not be the people who make the decisions about who to hire, but they may be critical to your success. Executives often value the opinions of their assistants, who may be the gatekeepers to a company.

Learning how to get an “in” can help you get past the minutia and the things you can’t control, and take control of your job search.

Do you have any tips for job seekers looking to get an in in your job search? Let us know below!

IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by Cast a Line