As I had a couple of interviews coming up, my self-appointed career coach started advising me on how to prepare for interviews and how to follow up.
She convinced me I needed to put much more effort into preparation and much more effort into following up after my interview. I had been so busy applying to as many jobs as I could, I was not preparing as well as I could or following up as much as I should for the most relevant leads. If I did not get a response from one or two calls or emails, I usually let the lead slide and that was the end of it.
With most of my resume submissions and job applications, I was not even including a cover letter—or if I did, it was brief and generic.
Paloma advised me to take a more targeted and custom-made approach. Every communication, especially the first contact with each potential employer had to be fresh, personalized and effective.
I was used to doing some preliminary research about the companies and people I contacted, but I did not take the time to apply what I learned in crafting a position-specific resume and cover letter.
I was also not following up appropriately—and that is where a little additional effort can make a huge amount of difference.
Paloma advised me to think hard and long about each company to which I applied and explain to them how I could contribute to their success.
“There are only three things that your potential employer wants to hear,” she told me. “How you can make them money, how you can save them money and how you can solve their problems. If you can tell them that—I promise they will hire you.”
She told me to keep those three things in mind in all my communications—and promised I would find a job. “That is the mantra,” she said. ”I can make you money. I can save you money. I can solve your problems.”
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