If, despite your best efforts, you can’t find the appropriate email addresses, call the company. Ask if they can give you contact information—preferably an email address—for the hiring manager or recruiter.
For example, you could write: “Dear Ms. Johnson, I have loved shopping at Forever 18 for many years, and I have recently become interested in taking my love for the store to the next level by working there. I have 5 years of retail experience, including 2 years as a manager. Are there any current openings in your company? Thank you for your time. ” If it feels appropriate, you could also add a line asking when you should follow up. That way, you’ll have a reason to touch base with the recruiter again about the position. You could say, “If there’s a good time I should check back in about this position, kindly let me know. ”
Providing a link makes a good first impression in addition to making it convenient for the person to view your work. They may wish to view your profile after your initial interaction. Proofread your resume for any errors or typos before submitting it. Nothing allows a recruiter to rule you out as a candidate more quickly than sloppy resume errors.
Be sure to maintain your professional network even when you’re not searching for a job. Send a message to old coworkers once in a while to ask about them and stay in touch. This will make networking when you are searching for a job much easier.
If you can’t find the hiring manager or a recruiter specifically, look for employees at the company in the HR department. You can contact them and ask if they can point you in the right direction. It’s best to use this strategy only if you are using a professional social media site that’s designed for recruitment, such as LinkedIn. Employees may find it off-putting to get a message from a stranger looking for a job on sites like Facebook or Twitter.
For example, you can write something like: “Dear Mr. Smith, I am interested in working for XYZ Plumbing, and I noticed that you are the hiring manager there. I am a certified plumber and have 6 years’ experience working as plumber for ABC plumbing, where I was promoted twice. I’d be very interested in knowing if your company has any current openings and how I might apply. Thank you very much for your time. ”
You might not get an interview right away, but if you have this information prepared, it can go a long way toward impressing a hiring manager.
If the hiring manager isn’t available, politely inquire when would be a better time to return to speak to them. In some cases, you may be able to procure an application from the employee you speak to.
Carry your resume in a wrinkle-proof, waterproof case. Avoid handing over a resume that is folded, creased, wrinkled, or damp, as this makes a poor impression.
