8 tips for getting the job you want

You send in your resume with an eye-catching cover letter in the hope of landing the job you want, only to be rejected.

This is an all-too-common experience for many job seekers, especially in the face of global economic downturn.

Jeff Haden, of professional networking site LinkedIn, agrees that there are many things you cannot control in the job seeking process, but there is one thing you can control: The amount of work you put in.

Here are the eight tips offered by Haden to get the job you really want.

1. Determine the company you want to work for

Many job seekers play the numbers game and respond to as many job postings as possible. To stand out from thousands of potential candidates, you should commit to doing what others aren‘t willing to do. That requires patience and time to decide which companies you definitely want to work for instead of shotgunning your resume.

2. Really know the company

You cannot know if you want to work for a company unless you know a lot about it. Check management and employees out on social media. When you know the people, you know the company.

3. Figure out how you will hit the ground running

Many companies want you to be productive immediately, at least in part because training takes time, money and effort, all of which are in short supply. You need to generate a return in return for their investment. Identify one or two important things you can contribute from day one.

4. Don’t just tell. Show

Put what you can offer on display. If you want a sales position, create a plan for how you will target a new market or customer base. Describe how you will implement marketing strategies the business is currently not using. A show and tell is your chance to prove you know the company and what you can offer.

5. Use a referral as a reinforcement

Business is all about relationships. You may have to dig deep into your network or even forge new connections, but the effort will be worth it. An employer knowing that someone they trust is willing to vouch for you can help you get an interview or even a job.

6. Be the one who knocks

Don‘t wait for an opening to be posted or to be called for an interview. Be a go-getter, meet with someone who can actually influence the hiring decision, and pitch away. You can say, “I’d love to take you to lunch and show you. If you hate my ideas, at least you got a free lunch. If you love them, you learned something. What do you have to lose?”

7. Assert yourself

Many people are poor interviewers, and this is especially true for small business owners. Be direct and to the point. Explain what you can do. Talk about how the company will benefit from hiring you, not about what the job will mean to you.

8. Ask for the job

If you truly know you want the job, ask for it. You have nothing lose and everything to gain. If you‘ve worked hard to truly set yourself apart, you might get hired on the spot.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)