I
Job seekers attend the Putting America Back to Work job fair at the Jacob Javits Convention Center … [+]
If you’re new to real estate or the professional world, a quick online search could lead to a long list of possible jobs. When looking for the right person, keep in mind that the hunt is often very competitive. Simply filling out an online job application and hoping for the best may not get the results you want.
Others often ask me for advice on how to get a meeting with a potential employer. They are looking for ways to get their resume to the top of the list. They want to know what will set their application apart from others.
When I built my career in real estate brokerage and investing, I looked for ways to gain an insider advantage. I now encourage others to do the same, and it starts with the first steps of receiving a phone call back from a hiring manager or scheduling an interview with a company manager. For this reason, using strategies to differentiate yourself and help your application get noticed can increase your chances of landing a good position.
Use these tactics to gain an insider advantage during the job application process.
1. Find the hiring manager
Often, the human resources department reviews resumes and applications before they reach the person who makes the decision about who to interview. For this reason, if you simply send the requested information, it might be difficult to know what happens next. Will your application end up in a sea of others, go unnoticed or be missed?
This is why I suggest those looking for a job find out who the hiring manager is. Research the company you are targeting or call to ask. Once you know who the decision maker is, you can put a strategy in place to get the meeting.
2. Look for ways to connect
Do some initial research with the recruiting director of the company you hope to work for. You can start with LinkedIn and go there. You can also check your contact list on LinkedIn to see if anyone in your network is connected to the decision maker. It is possible that someone can introduce you or recommend you personally.
3. Learn what you have in common
Do you and the recruiting director share the same alma mater? Do you belong to the same organization? Are there any other interests you share in common? Do the necessary research to find information that might help you connect with the decision maker.
4. Try to meet in person
Find out if there are ways to meet the hiring manager in person. Maybe they’re speaking at an upcoming event or attending a conference. You can go to the same place and search for them. Make sure you’re prepared so that when you first meet, you can speak knowledgeably about the company and the value you could bring to the workplace. Seeing each other in person can go a long way. If you don’t get the meeting the first time you meet, you can follow up later and see if they are still trying to fill the position.
When looking for a job, remember that the process is often best conducted when you build personal relationships. Rather than filling out online applications yourself, research the hiring manager and find ways to contact them. By learning what you have in common and meeting in person, you’ll stand out from other potential new hires and be more likely to land that all-important meeting.