How To Stay in Touch With Potential Employers
Whether you are a recent university graduate or someone who wants to change careers, it is important to stay in touch with potential employers on an ongoing basis. After all, you never know when someone might need your skills. With some success, you can get the job you are looking forward to or take on new projects that may add value to your job profile.
In this digital age, connecting with potential employers has never been easier. But you still need to be proactive and keep an open line of communication. Zoom, Skype and other essential services cannot replace human interaction. Here are some tips to help you.
1. Communication on social networks
A good starting point is to connect with potential employers using dedicated platforms such as LinkedIn, Xing, and other professional networks. Do this before or after job interviews or when a potential employer contacts you.
You can also search for companies you want to work for and then connect with CEOs or hiring managers on LinkedIn. Just be sure to send your invitation with a personalized note.
Employers receive dozens of emails, phone calls, and social media messages from job seekers. So, you want to make your profile stand out. Introduce yourself and find common ground with the person you want to connect with.
If you are, for example, a copywriter, submit a personal note describing your skills or services without being overly promotional. Let a potential employer know you’re available for permanent work or freelance projects, and include a link to your job profile or mention some of the brands you’ve worked with.
End your letter with a call to action for the hiring manager, especially when reaching out to companies currently hiring. For example, you can invite him to book a call with you to discuss more. Not only does this demonstrate initiative, but it may also increase your chances of finding work.
2. Make each contact valuable
While it’s important to stay in touch with potential employers, you also need to make every interaction count.
Human resource managers, small business owners, hiring managers, and other professionals already have a lot of contacts. It is likely that any of them will ignore your calls and emails unless you have something useful to say.
Simply put, make sure your messages have a clear purpose. Don’t just say, “Are there any jobs available?” or something like that. Instead, let the potential employer know that you learned a new skill, completed some training, or finished a project that gave you valuable insights into their market or target audience.
Another option is to just say that you are interested in a role for which he is trying to find a match. Or you can ask if there is anything you can help with. Include a brief description of your skills and previous projects.
3. Focus on building deeper relationships
Avoid reaching out to potential employers just to ask if they are hiring. The last thing you want is to look like a broken cylinder.
Your best bet is to focus on building deeper relationships. For starters, try the strategies below:
- Follow potential employers on social networks and leave meaningful comments on their posts.
- Send them holiday greetings (use more general wording, like “Happy Holidays” instead of naming specific holidays).
- Congratulate them on their work accomplishments or major life events.
- Ask for advice or business ideas.
- Show interest in a blog post or published article.
Remember, it’s all in the little details. What matters most is building real relationships.
A potential employer may not need your services right now, but things may change in the future. Contact him two or three times a year to solidify the relationship and make sure he remembers you when he needs someone to fill a job role that you can fill.
Pave your way to a successful career
Staying in touch with potential employers may be one of the best things you can do in your career. You never know when you will need their help — and vice versa.
Always remember that you are writing to another human being. Show interest in his professional accomplishments, send him holiday greetings, and interact with him on social networks. Be honest and focus on building meaningful relationships.