The right way to approach an employer

The uncertain economic scenario has made it unwise for job seekers to purely rely on traditional advertisements and job portals to find good opportunities. Job seekers today need to be fiercely competitive and adopt a multipronged approach to get a suitable position. Here are a few tips that can help you do this:

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Consider your field when deciding whether to adopt a more creative approach or go via the traditional route. "In a competitive market, some job seekers have progressed towards more inspired methods for drawing employer attention.These include attaching chain letters, mentioning blog links, posting resumes on social media websites, creating videos CVs with a copy of their resume attached, etc," says Hema Malhotra Kubde, Director-Human Resources MSM Media Distribution Pvt Ltd.

APPROACH AN ORGANISATION

There is nothing wrong in proactively contacting organisations to offer your services. "Understand the area of work and the wider context an ogranisation works in before you get in touch with them for a job. Conducting a thorough research about a firm shows a genuine interest. The research must be accurate to ensure that you approach the correct person. For example, one cannot a company's CEO while applying for a junior level post. Also, writing a persuasive letter and CV that matches the timely need of the organisation may work. Your application will be more likely to succeed if it reaches the right person in the organisation," suggests Anuj Saxena COO of Elder Pharmaceuticals.

CREATE A DIGITAL IMAGE

Technology is replacing several aspects of the recruitment process. "To create a lasting impression with the right person in a company, research the employer, the job and the hiring manager extensively; create a social media profile that is aligned to their expecta tions -present relevant experience and recommendations to describe various facets of your personality and expertise. Take into account the average attention span of a reader and be succinct.Use relevant images to convey detailed information in a quick to understand format. Also remember to implement email etiquette," advises Harsh Kapur Pillai, Founder Director, Terragni Consulting.

Adds Mona Cheriyan, COO and head of Human Resources, Thomas Cook India, "Your presence on social media by means of an interactive resume also helps.Joining the right groups and associations too can improve your chances of employability. A number of hiring mangers frequently use social media sites to do a background check on candidates." Testimonials from your current as well as ex-colleagues matter. Concurs Cheriyan, "Ensure that your profile showcases good recommendations that comment on your leadership style, achievement orientation, success stories, etc, is a huge advantage."

LOG ON TO INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC JOB PORTALS

Selecting smart options on job portals helps you reach a larger number of recruiters. Opines, Hema Malhotra Kubde, DirectorHuman Resources MSM Media Distribution Pvt Ltd, "Whether your career is in the media, publishing, information technology, healthcare, financial services or any other industry, you can find industry specific job search sites. In addition to these, professional networking sites are also gaining popularity as a means to create a wide array of contacts and further utilise the references created there. This means no awkward introductions and the ability to tap into any company."

SEEK REFERRALS

Getting in touch with mutual connections to hire apt candidates is a successful recruitment technique.So increase your network and get job referrals from friends, colleagues and seniors. There are benefits to being referred to a company or job by someone the company or organisation trusts.

FIND A MENTOR

Whether entering the job market for the first time or changing a career, the advice and guidance of a professional can be a major help. A mentor can give you good advice, motivate you and keep you focused on your goal when you are discouraged.

In the modern job market, finding the best job opportunity often requires a combination of methods so don't be hesitant to experiment with a variety of techniques, but with caution.

Source | Times of India | 4 September 2015