Getting eaten by aliens - engage them in conversation

After several minutes of utterly dull conversation I began to think of her not as a woman but as a human, then not as a human but as an animal, then not as an animal but as a source of high-grade protein. (Mark Gooley)

Getting eaten by aliens - engage them in conversation

The heroes in Men In Black have to stop a giant cockroach from leaving the earth. If it leaves, the earth will be destroyed. They are able to engage it in a conversation, sort of.

"Hiring managers are like giant cockroaches. They just want to hide in their offices and get away from you." If you can engage the manager or his assistant in a conversation you will multiply your chances of getting an interview or a job. Here is how you do it:

First, make sure you want the job and that you are a decent fit. The Men In Black were the guys in charge of saving the earth. They were motivated and had the tools, they just had to figure out how to do it. If you are qualified to become a computer technician, audit manager or director of international sales, engage the hiring manager in a conversation. If you are not qualified for the job, just send him a resume through Monster. That way it only takes you 10 seconds to send it and the computer will automagically delete it for them. Conversation only works if you really want the job and really are qualified.

Now, write down the titles the hiring manager may have. Then call up the company and ask for that person. You may get through to him or you may get routed to someone else. If you get routed to someone else ask, "Are you helping (title) find the person for (job)?" Push your way through until you get to someone who actually is helping him find a new employee. It doesn't matter if it is him, the HR department or a receptionist. It has to be someone directly involved with the hiring process for that particular job.

When you get to the right person, say, "You are looking for a (job), what has been the hardest thing for you to find in the right person?" Then wait. Engage them in a discussion of what they are having a hard time finding in a new hire. Make sure and ask, "Is there anything else you have a hard time finding?" Ask that last question again and again. Probe their answers. Find out what the problem is that they have to solve.

Another good question is, "For the (job), what is causing you to throw away most of the resumes that you get?" Then probe that too. Add, "Is there anything else?" Listen. Ask more questions. Find out what can disqualify you.

Be helpful. If you find out you are the wrong person, offer to tell someone else who is qualified about the job. If you are the right person say, "I really fit that job, what is your email address so that I can send you my resume directly?" You have a 50-50 chance of getting their direct email address, and that will get your resume right on top of the pile. If you really are qualified, that is a great place to be. And you get there by engaging them in a conversation.

Don't forget to specifically change your resume and cover letter to match their needs. Then call up an hour later and ask, "Did you get my resume? What more do you need to know?" You may just end up having a phone interview right then and there.

Something to do today

Make a list of the 5 jobs that you really want and are qualified for that you have not already interviewed for. Whether your resume has been sent in or not, call them up and try this out. Change your resume after your conversation and highlight things you didn't know were so important. You just may get that job.

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Tomorrow: Getting eaten by aliens - A relative or friend can help

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Copyright 2005 by Bryan Dilts. "How to REALLY get a GREAT JOB" and "REALLY get a GREAT" are trademarks of Bryan Dilts. Connecting the Best People, With the Best Companies is a trademark of AGI. All rights reserved.

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Message Added: December 19th, 2007 at 7:34 am