Using Technology to Your Advantage
So, you have applied for that dream job with the firm you admire more than any other, and it has been a couple of weeks with no reply. What should you do? You could ignore it—assuming that since you have not heard anything that the job simply was not meant to be. On the other hand, you could turn to technology! Today, more than ever before, technology makes it easier to connect and reconnect with people and organizations, including potential employers.
Consider these ways that you can utilize technology to get that callback:
Social Media – LinkedIn is the expected choice, but other platforms can be beneficial too. Make a candid social media connection with the organization you are interesting in. Once you are connected, send a short, genuine message stating that you are an applicant for “X position” and you are eager to connect with them on LinkedIn (or any other network). This opens the door for any future communications.
Skype – If you are a Skype user, look for a skype number or address for the company you are targeting and add them to your contacts. This suggests the chance to present an alternate method of contact for you to reach the desired employer. Skype is becoming a very important tool in the business world, so using it successfully is becoming more and more important.
Send an E-mail Follow Up – Though it may not seem “techy” enough for some, sending an e-mail is a simple, tasteful way to follow up on an application or interview. It shows a company that you really mean business. In addition, you can inquire about other positions, provide alternate means of contact and open the lines of communications even further. E-mail is one of the lowest forms of high-tech, but it is still extremely useful in job hunting.
Before you find that perfect job, you may have a few near misses or missed connections. Do not worry! As long as you are proactive about connecting with employers using both old-fashioned means and new technology, you will eventually find the job that you are meant to hold. In the meantime, use that smartphone to view new job listings, or update your professional profile on LinkedIn—it certainly couldn’t hurt anything, could it?
