Found Your Dream Job? The One Thing to Say to Make Sure You Get a Call Back…

Ask any job seeker these days, and the number one frustration of the job search boils down simply to getting a call back. So before you go through the thrilling process of applying online or anxiously calling your connections, here’s the one thing you need to say to guarantee that someone picks up the phone to call you back:

Why You Are Relevant

When you can illustrate to the recruiter/gatekeeper/hiring manager/networking contact why your experience is the most relevant of all the other applicants, they will call you. Rarely does anyone make the effort simply to state why he or she is a great match.

How do the most effective candidates do this? By developing a compelling elevator pitch. I recently received a voicemail from a woman interested in working where I work. Her voicemail was so effective that I picked up the phone and called her right back. I didn’t even have a current job opening for her, but I called her immediately because what she said was THAT relevant (and brief. It was no more than a minute and a half long.) What did she say?

• “I’ve worked for your competitors, Acme and Alpha.” (What did I hear? “I understand this industry really well.”)

• “I’ve added value to my current company by solving A, B, and C problems at my current company.” (What did I hear? “I understand your needs and your pain points, and I’m the one who can do something about them.”)

• I want to work for you because X, Y, and Z. (What did I hear? “I’ve researched your company enough to know that we could be very well suited for each other.”)

 Sounds obvious, right? Then why aren’t more applicants taking this approach? Simple: It takes time and effort to evaluate yourself as a professional. Start by identifying what you have done that makes you valuable. End by understanding how you can make an impact at the company where you want to work. Then apply your elevator pitch to your email, cover letter, application, voicemail or even networking conversations.

I promise you, it will work. And, you’ll find along the way that you know yourself better and will have a more efficient and effective job search.

Now go land that dream job!