How do you get past the gatekeeper to speak to the decision maker – the person responsible for hiring (hopefully you)?
It’s important to know that there are gatekeepers your mailed resume trickles through, passing through the hands of probably more than one person before it lands in front of the eyes of the decision maker.
There are certain steps you need to take if you want your prospective employer to open your envelope:
1. Always call in advance and get the name and title of the person who would be your boss.
2. Handwrite the envelope to that person vs. typing the envelope (it appears to be personal).
3. Write “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” on the lower left corner of the envelope. (This is the ONLY type of correspondence a secretary WILL NEVER open!)
You now know when your resume is in the hands of your future boss or an individual one level above that person.
Let’s address Getting Past the Gatekeeper on the Phone.
1. Call the night before to get the name of the person you want to reach.
2. If there is resistance in giving you the name, ask for the correct spelling of the name and they assume you have the name and will spell it out for you.
3. Ask for the correct title. They again assume you have their title!
4. Ask the receptionist when it is most convenient for you to reach that party.
5. If the secretary asks, “WHAT IS THIS CALL REGARDING” you can honestly say it’s personal! Your job search IS very personal.
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6. If you have either a receptionist or secretary who will absolutely NOT let your call through – remember they do eat lunch. Call during the lunch hour and you will reach someone NEW and hopefully they are more receptive to your call.
The most common mistake job seekers make is NOT taking the time to identify the person whoSHOULD read their resume. You need to get your resume in the hands of individuals who don’t normally receive resumes.
If you send out your resume to Job Boards, Classified Ads or post it on the Internet – you are now one of thousands of resumes that will be received. Take the time to identify your future employer and you will dramatically increase the number of interviews you book.
For additional tips on Getting Past the Gatekeeper, please visit www.swanstaffing.com or contact me directly at glenn@swanstaffing.com.