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How to Be Seen in Your Job Search

“For some reason, lately I’ve received a number of letters and invitations taking the form of an email that says, ‘Please read the attached invitation/letter,’ plus said attachment.

Do people really not understand that this is a good way to be ignored? Life is busy, there are plenty of interesting and/or important things to do….If you can’t be bothered to give me some hint of what your message is about, I can’t be bothered to find out.” – Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman wasn’t talking about job search. He was referring to any email with an attachment and no explanation in the body of the email. We’ve all probably gotten emails like that.

But if you’re in a job search, it’s important that you NOT send this type of email.

When you’re asking someone to help you or to do something for you, make the effort to explain to them what you need or what you’re looking for. Don’t email your resume as an attachment with no explanation as to what you need from them, or simply stating “Do you have any jobs for me?”, “Keep me in mind”, etc.

You’re expecting the reader — the person you’re asking for help — to open your attachment, read your resume, figure out what you want to do, and help you find a job. Can they pick up your dry cleaning as well?

Make sure to include your elevator speech or 30-second commercial explaining who you are, what you’re looking for, and specifically what you’re asking the recipient to do. You’ll get a much better response and it’s a much more effective way to network.

This goes for LinkedIn invitations as well. Don’t use the boilerplate “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” Put the invitation in context for the person you’re trying to connect with. Tell them who you are, how you met, and what you’re looking for.

You’ll customize the invitation based on the relationship with the individual. But if it’s someone you don’t know well, don’t assume they are going to remember who you are.

Otherwise, you may not be seen:

Asking For Help

If you need guidance on the best way to ask others for help in your job search, advice from Patra Frame:

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