Being proactive has always been the way to have increased success and to stand out even before any competitive recruiting period begins on campus or before any job postingS drop. Now COVID-19 has made these strategies even more significant. So what are YOU doing to take your job search online?

It has always been affective to reach out to specific people and engage them for in-person meetings and, what has become known as, coffee-chats. These are really information interviews. This strategy is where students and/or job seekers arrange a 15-20 minute meeting with staff in targeted companies to ask meaningful questions about the industry, the company and the person they are meeting with. Some information worth gathering is:

1. Current trends in the industry
2. Challenges in the market and possible upcoming changes
3. The companies market share and reputation
4. “A day in the life of” the person in a role of interest
5. Company culture
6. Potential career paths/ service lines
7. The companies recruiting practices and how they hire new grads
8. Internal referrals to others to speak/meet with
9. The person’s career advice and tips on applications
10. An opportunity to stay in touch for further advice/build a network
    Just to name a few…

Although being well prepared for the meeting can not be undervalued, getting the meetings has always been the greater challenge. For some, the obstacle is simply not using this effective strategy due to discomfort or disbelief. However, statistics show that 6-10 information interviews on average help job seekers to learn about a field and make connections that lead to employment. For those who are willing to try this strategy, reaching out to people successfully is the challenge but also the success. Statistics reveal phone call requests have the highest success rates although right now when staff are mostly not at work this make the phone call approach success very unlikely. The other approaches reaching out professionally through email and social media requests. Due to COVID-19, this approach now represents candidates’ greatest opportunity to connect. Being prepared with what to say to decision makers and in some cases (like Public Practice Recruiting) HR Reps, make a real difference in getting to the right people, making the most effective request and generating the highest number of meaningful meetings.

Usually, when using this strategy, it is not recommended to do these meetings over the phone or online due to the lower success ratio when not doing these meetings in person where an individual can become known and increase their chances when employment interview selections or hiring decisions are made. However, during the present COVID-19 challenges with social distancing and stay-at-home requests, job seekers are left with this option as their only method of connecting with companies and people they are interested in. So, whether you know if a company is participating in campus recruiting or not, I encourage you to prepare and execute a quality approach using online platforms to meet people and make as many connections as you can. With COVID-19 requirements resulting in many people working from home, many professionals have increased their online presence and engagement as a matter of doing business and your chances of making meaning connections right now are higher than at any other time.

Here is what I recommend…

1. Begin creating a target list of people – this list should consist of people that would be your direct supervisors and in the case of Spring Public Practice Recruit, HR reps.
2. Make contact – Prepare your meeting request that you will use via LinkedIn, email, other social media platforms. In my opinion, LinkedIn is your best option right now when people are working remotely, although good research can turn up an email address as well.
3. Deliver your request to meet online – this should be about 21 seconds long when reading it and should consist of; why you have targeted their company and them individually, your request to meet for “only 15-20 minutes” and some suggestions on which platforms you would like to meet on. These could include: FaceTime, WhatsApp or Skype. Keep in mind that they may give you their online platform of choice, but offering suggestions and being prepared is always best. Keep in mind, they may give you more time that what you asked for, but asking for more that 15-20 minutes will lower your success in securing meetings.
4. Preparing your setting – When meeting online it is important to ensure success in every way. Reduce environment distractions by choosing a place away from noice or visual background activity. Select a spot with a neutral background. Ensure Wifi is reliable and consistent. Make sure your technology is working, including camera, audio, etc. and test it right before the meeting. Dress for an interview. Have your questions on hand but do not reach your intro from a written script. Be prepared and take notes while ensuring to look up at the camera frequently to engage the person you are online with.
5. Prepare your questions – After saying hello and giving them a brief introduction about you (21 seconds), you will only have enough time to ask 10-15 questions as described above. Begin with more general questions and get more personal as you move through the meeting. Remember, this is an information interview and not an employment interview, so keep the rules and do not ask for a job during this meeting or produce a resume unless asked to provide one. During your follow up, you will have every opportunity to act on your desire to pursue them for employment and your will have connections and advice that will improve your success when you do so.
6. Follow up – The best follow up is immediate follow up, although quality can not be underestimated. Respond to the person ASAP and reference specifics from the conversation, any personal connections you made (e.g. skiing), your goal to pursue the company for employment and your plans to connect with them again in the future (without pestering them). Part of your follow up strategy should include reaching out to them a second and third time to keep the connection alive and to build the relationship.

Right now, while I write this Blog, companies and Public Practice firms are making plans to engage job seekers and students exactly this way. In fact, for Spring Public Practice Recruit, BDO already reached out with what they are calling BDO Coffee Connect – Virtual. Others will soon go live with their platforms. Don’t wait for them, because the sooner you reach out to your targeted companies, the higher your chances of securing meeting and increasing your chances to land interviews and employment when postings drop and applications start flowing into their in box.

I have a wealth of resources to help you create scripts, prepare questions, plan your follow up strategy and increase your success with this strategy. Just email me and I will send you what you need, or meet me online (see below) and I will help you with your specific questions and preparation.

Best of luck and…wash your hands,

Russell

Russell Garrett is your DAP Career Coach, a Certified Career Consultant and the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions and has been delivering coaching support to DAP students for over 15 years. Russell will be delivering the last three of seven of the Spring Career Series for DAP students through online workshops March 26, 30 and April 6. Also, Russell will be delivering Public Practice Recruiting Workshops for both DAP and BCom students on May 11 Spring PPR Application Prep, May 20 Fall PPR Overview, May 25 Spring PPR Interview Prep, all online. You can register for these workshops through COOL as they are advertised. Also, you can meet with Russell for 30 minute online coaching appointments set up through email requests by emailing your request to Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.