A well-crafted resume is important, but if it doesn't land in the right hands, it's useless.
New York career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman agrees. "Many people ask me if they should send their resumes to a company's human resources department. My answer is always, 'No!'" She explains, "Human resource departments are set up to screen you out; this goes against your goal of getting into a company."
Abandon your old tactics of blindly sending out your resume; rather, instructs Brown-Volkman, proprietor of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc., "You want to contact your future boss." Use these steps to make sure your resume's journey doesn't go awry.
1. Start Your Search Online
Depending on the size of a company and how elaborate its corporate website is, you may be able to find the name of your potential supervisor online. Says Brown-Volkman, "Company websites include links to what the company does, its philosophy, news stories, press releases, annual reports, the company's management team, and more. All of this information is widely available -- all you have to do is sift through it."
2. Identify the "Right" Right Person
You may be able to find a company directory, but now you'll need to determine who your best target truly is. Brown-Volkman, author of "Don't Blow It! The Right Words For The Right Job," says, "You are searching for the highest person in an organizational chart whom you would report to. Find someone who already has your desired title and work your way up. Whether you would be working for this person directly or not does not matter." If you're still not sure, aim high. She suggests, "Go as high as you can go, even if that means to the head of the company. You would much rather have your resume passed down, than thrown out (or filed) by someone who does not understand what you do."
3. Be Persistent
If you strike out online, you're going to have get on the phone to find out who might be your future boss. "Call the company's main line and ask for the name of the individual who heads a particular department. It's that simple," says Brown-Volkman. She urges job seekers, "Be persistent and don't give up until you receive the information you need."
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