Job-hunting is rough. Most people, completely comfortable putting themselves out there for their clients or company , turn tongue-tied and awkward when trying to represent themselves (that's actually what keeps headhunters in business). But when you start contacting people, you’ll be amazed at just how many folks who want to help.  The trick is to not ask for a job – just ask for opinions. Make the call, topline your experience, identify where you think you might be heading next, and then ask for advice. Once they realize that you’re not hitting them up for a job you’ll actually hear them relax (listen for the exhale and the squeaking chair as they settle in to talk with you. If you’re physically with them, you can see them shifting their positions to get more comfortable – the pressure’s off). They’ll double their efforts to help once they know they’re not going to have to come up with excuses about why they can't bring you on.

 

 

Candidates have been telling me about the informational meetings they’ve been able to secure. We’re both taken with how generous people have been, during these tough economic times, in giving their time for informational meetings. Maybe they’re trying to amass great karma in the event of their own layoff one day. More likely they’re genuinely interested in offering whatever help they can. Either way, an informational interview is a fantastic opportunity to further assess the market and find out what’s going on from someone else’s perspective.

 

Do Your Homework, For Heaven's Sake!

 

And yet, you KNOW, (don’t you?) that an informational conversation is never just informational. Every single time you have an opportunity to sit with someone and talk about work, it's a chance to position yourself as a quality candidate in your contact’s eyes. I don’t care if they say, “Sure I’ll meet you, but you know I’ve got nothing available, right?” Or “I can only give you 10 minutes.” Or “I may be in a meeting, but just drop by and I’ll see you if I can.”  Go into that meeting completely prepared. Know hot topics in the industry, key work in which the company has been involved (you’ve been on their web site, haven’t you? You’ve read their most recent press releases, right?), and specific examples of relevant work for which you’ve been responsible. Don’t try to sell yourself, just talk about the business, the industry, where you see it and you heading. Be positive, keep up your eye contact, ask for advice and suggestions.

 

One client, learning this post was being written, emailed me his pet peeve: candidates who show up in his office for an interview (for a position or informational, it doesn’t matter) and know absolutely nothing about his company. They haven’t done an ounce of research and have given no thought at all to how or why they’re a fit. What did they think … they’re going to get hired because they’re witty? Cute? Connected? The market is tough, times are hard. Possibly in the past you might have been picked up because of your sparkling personality, but now, if that personality isn’t coupled with a demonstrated intense interest in the business, that informational interview will last a polite 20 minutes and you’ll be out the door.

 

Don’t try to prove me wrong – do your homework!

 

 

Let's say you're out of work and networking like crazy.  You're calling everyone you know, making new connections, and setting up coffee meetings right and left.  Immediately (as in, within a day), whether the person with whom you’ve networked met you in person or over the phone, you’ll need to send a thank-you note. Hand-written, typed, email – I don’t think it really matters (but no tweets or texts, please). Content is king.

 

Here’s what 90% of thank you notes usually look like:

 

Dear Javier,

 

Thanks so much for meeting with me.  I appreciate the time we spent and I know your advice will be invaluable as I continue my search for my next role.  I'll follow up on your suggestions and I hiope to be calling you with good news, soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gillian Gabriel

 

 So. What do you think? Is that compelling? Interesting? Does that suggest that Javier’s time was valued? It sounds pretty boiler-plate, doesn’t it? You can do better.

 At the risk of sounding like your mother, a thank-you note needs to be warm, personal, and tie specifically into elements of the conversation you’ve just had. And it needs to be at least 8 complete sentences (Ok, I pulled that out of the air, but it’s not a bad rule of thumb. My point is to ensure you’re actually writing a letter, not a sentiment that could be found on a Hallmark card). And, by the way, “thank you so much” does NOT count as a complete sentence.

 

How about this:

 

Dear Javier,

 

I've always enjoyed our work relationship, but never valued it more than today.  I can't tell you how much I appreciated the time you spent with me, giving me advice, counsel, and GREAT suggestions about how to move forward.  I've taken them to heart and already connected with one of your contacts.  Nate Page was nice enough to agree to a meeting (he says hi, by the way) and we're getting together next week.  I also did some research on that manufacturing company you mentioned and you're right -- they have a department that suits my skills perfectly.  I'm sending a letter off to them right away. 

 

Meetings like ours continue to motivate me during this rough time.  I know I'll land well and when I do, it'll be because people like you were kind enough to help.  Thank you so much, Javier.

 

 My best,

 

Gillian Gabriel

 

Nine sentences (I KNEW you counted), including the ubiquitous thank you at the end.  Better, isn’t it? Those are the thank-you letters I remember, and those are the candidates I tend to champion with my clients. Quite a bit was demonstrated in that letter – the writer listens, acts, and appreciates. What could be better in a potential employee?