THINK outside the BOX

Big Ideas

When applying for a job you have to think outside the box! Here are a few ideas that have been tested and proven to work in getting past the gatekeepers:

Overnight your résumé and cover letter directly to a hiring manager via FED EX or USPS. This will make you stand out and increase the chances of your résumé being read by the right person. You can use this technique even if there is no immediate job posting.

You can also have the hiring manager sign for the package so you receive notification that it was delivered. This assertiveness and out of the box thinking has paid off!

Go out of your way to meet people that can help you. One guy could not get a response from the pharmaceutical companies because he had NO experience in sales or science. He took matters into his own hands - he made a hundred copies of his résumé and visited local hospitals to meet the pharmacuetical reps coming in. He gave each of them a copy of his résumé. This face-to-face networking and his determination landed him a job! He believed in himself and that made other people believe in him.

Make friends with the receptionist of the company or companies you are interested in. The receptionist and administrative assistants know alot about what's going on in a company. They are usually the ones preparing the requisitions for new positions. They know who is planning to resign, be fired, get promoted, retiring soon, going out on maternity leave, etc.

Don't be afraid to stop by a company and introduce yourself to the receptionist, have a brief conversation about your interests and give them a résumé. These people are accustomed to helping others all day so they won't mind at all… send them a $5 Starbucks gift card to say "thank you" for their assistance. A little goes a long way!