Searching for a job? One of the best techniques is to track down the managers. Don't leave your fate in HR's hands!

1. Track Down the Hiring Manager
Presented by Donna Shannon
720-452-3400
www.PersonalTouchCareerServices.com
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

2. The Personal Touch Career Services
• Our Mission: To help job seekers of all levels
achieve their employment goals through solid,
practical advice and services
• Resume services, interview coaching, job search strategy and
group classes
• Over 8 years in corporate recruitment & placement
• Donna’s book, “Get a Job Without Going Crazy” is available on
Amazon.com and the Tattered Cover in Denver
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

3. THE HIRING MANAGER WANTS TO
HIRE YOU
They just don’t know who you are yet
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

4. The Personal Factor
• Managers want to hire:
– Someone who is enthusiastic
– Knowledgeable about the industry
– AND…
Who really understands their NEEDS
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

5. Key information you better find
• Managers want to hire someone who knows
the company:
– Corporate mission
– Their products and services
– Their competition
– Their challenges
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

6. FIND THE PERSON TO GET
PERSONAL
Your first challenge: find that name…
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

7. Resources for finding that name:
• Company’s website
• News Sources
• Networking Groups
• Social Media
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

8. Resource #1:
the Website
Start with the
job description
Look for:
Report – to’s
Divisions
Locations
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon
Senior Human Resources
Information Systems Advisor
RTM , is currently hiring for a Senior Human
Resources Information Systems Advisor person
to support the Human Resources department
from their Denver, Colorado global head office.
The holder of this role must have an overall
understanding of the strategic objectives of Rio
Tinto and the business unit, its values and its
operational activities in order to understand labor
and skills requirements and business / individual
standards; Human Resources Systems are an
effective tool for managing sensitive employee
data; are cost effective and value adding; drive a
high performance culture and enable the
organization to attract and retain high caliber
employees. The Sr HRIS Advisor reports directly to
the Vice President of Human Resources.
The successful candidate will be able to:

9. More on the website:
• Other pages to mine:
– Management team
– About us
– Blog posts
– News or Media Room
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

10. Resource #2: News and Media
• Focus on local sources:
– The Denver Business Journal
• Data base of many local and national companies
• www.denver.bizjournals.com
– Colorado Business Magazine
• http://www.cobizmag.com/
– The Denver Post
• Mainstream News
• www.denverpost.com
– Westword
• In-depth cultural impact
• www.westword.com
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

11. Trigger Events
• Any excuse to reach out to a manager,
whether there is a job opening or not
– Recent company awards
– Winning major contract
– Promotions
– Office moves
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

12. Sample: Local Awards
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

13. More information available…
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon
Colorado Business Magazine writes an article for EACH
winner – which you can read for free

14. Resource #3: Networking Groups
• Obvious target:
– a direct connection to the hiring manager (aka the
Holy Grail)
• More likely:
• Current or past employee of the target company
• Someone who knows someone at the target
company
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

15. What to ask former and current
employees:
• Names of managers
• Hiring procedures
• Company culture
• Company challenges
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

16. Other Cool Websites
• Glassdoor.com
• User reviews of companies and their interviews
• Zoominfo.com
• Recruiters’ tool for company research
• Manta.com
• Free data-rich company information
• Professional Associations
• Look for the volunteer Board
• Chambers of Commerce
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

17. Missed the target manager?
• ALL senior managers are your target
• Send resumes to ALL possible decision-
makers
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

18. SO YOU GOT THE NAME…
Now what?
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

19. DON’T Contact yet…
• Don’t ask for an introduction
• Don’t send an Inmail through LinkedIn.com
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

20. Get to know your target as a person…
• Interpret their LinkedIn profile
• Look for LinkedIn involvement
• Check out their Twitter feed
• Google for the dirt
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

21. LinkedIn Posts
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

22. LinkedIn Profiles
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

23. Profiles: Groups
and Applications
What do they care
about?
What message are
they sending?
How can you
connect?
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

24. LinkedIn.com tip:
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon
• Join the same Groups to message the target
for free

25. Google: what’s the buzz?
• The Company
• The Names
• The LinkedIn
public profiles
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

26. LinkedIn live demo
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

27. NAILING THE CONTACT INFO
How you reach them is just as important as what you say
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

28. Reach out and touch someone…
• Direct Email
• Snail Mail and Variations
• LinkedIn connections
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

29. Determining the email address
• Scrutinize website for patterns
• Check ZoomInfo.com
• Call the front desk
– Magic phrase:
“I’m sending an email to So-n-So, but it looks like I
may have it wrong. Is it
joe.schmoe@abccompany.com?”
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

30. Proven Personal Touch Method
• Send a hard copy directly to the manager
– Targeted cover letters can win the assistant
– Variations for impact:
• Priority Mail ($4.90 for flat rate envelope)
• Express Mail or Fed Ex (average $14.95 for USPS)
• Courier Service (varies - $20 to $30)
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

31. Important note:
• Do NOT use resume quality envelopes, but
DO use resume quality paper
• Paper Rules:
– Use high quality resume paper
– Light color
– High quality printing
Your worth WILL be judged by the presentation
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

32. Showing up in person
• Can be a risk:
– Receptionists are guard dogs
– Be sure to dress appropriately
– Give resume in sealed package marked
“Confidential”
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

33. WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR COVER
LETTER
Grab ‘em and hold ‘em
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

34. Personal Cover Letters
• Must always include:
– Understanding of the company
– Passion for the job
– How you can help by:
• Solving problems
• Making money
• Saving money
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

35. Understanding of the
industry sample
• Start with current news
• Write about your
understanding of the
industry
• Tie in your personal
experience
• Ask for the job your want
• Conclude with your
contact information
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

36. NO RESPONSE?
The game’s not over yet
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

37. What the hiring manager does…
• He will call HR, not you
– Resume resurrection
– Ensures you will get a diligent interview
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

38. Essence of the Personal Touch
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon
1. Find the name
2. Figure out who they are
3. Get your resume in their hands

39. www.PersonalTouchCareerServices.com
 donna@personaltouchcareerservices.com
 Social Media:
www.LinkedIn.com/in/donnashannon
www.facebook.com/Donnashannon.careercoach
Twitter: @DLShannon
 Networking Group on Meetup.com:
Brown Bag Job Search Group
The Personal Touch Career Services
(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon