How do you tackle employer outreach? Today’s job market is competitive, and to many job seekers, it can feel like a disorganized numbers game. We all know that we need to refine our resumes and cover letters, but with so many qualified candidates vying for jobs right now, it is essential to take a proactive approach by reaching out to potential employers and following up with them effectively.
But how do you go about setting up a system for employer outreach and follow up that maximizes your chances of success?
Today, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to setting up a comprehensive employer outreach system that will help you stand out from the competition. We’ll cover everything from identifying the types of companies you want to target and crafting effective outreach messages, to following up with employers and managing your outreach system.
Whether you’re a recent college grad or an experienced professional, we’ll provide you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed in your job search.
Establishing your employer outreach strategy
The first step in setting up a successful employer outreach system is to establish a clear strategy for targeting and reaching out to potential employers. Don’t think that because one of those aggregator sites says one button gets your resume in front of thousands of employers means you’ve applied to thousands of jobs. Here are the key elements to consider in your strategy:
1. Identify the types of companies you want to target
Before reaching out to any employers, consider the types of companies that are a good fit for your skills, experience, and career goals. This will help you to narrow your focus. Consider factors like company size, industry, location, remote or on-site options, and company culture when identifying your target companies.
2. Determine the best methods for reaching out to potential employers
Once you have determined the types of companies to target, we recommend choosing a dozen to start with. Put time into researching each and looking for breadcrumbs – reading Glassdoor reviews is a great way to get hints as to how others got their foot in the door.
Common methods for outreach include email or LinkedIn messaging to the hiring manager (here’s how to track that down), and watching their site for hiring or networking events where you can rub elbows with decision makers. And yes, applying for a specific open role counts as a good first step for reaching out to potential employers if you don’t gain traction with other methods.
3. Develop a timeline for your outreach efforts and create a tracking system to stay organized
To ensure that your outreach is effective, it’s important to develop a timeline for your outreach efforts. This will help you stay on track and avoid missing important opportunities. Consider the number of contacts you want to make daily or weekly, or how many resumes you would like to submit during each time period. Realistic goals are good in this scenario!
Additionally, creating a tracking system (which we’ll talk about shortly), such as a spreadsheet or CRM tool, can help you stay organized and keep track of your outreach efforts, responses, and follow-up tasks. By taking the time to establish a clear employer outreach strategy, you can increase your chances of success and avoid wasting time on ineffective outreach methods.
In the next section, we’ll discuss how to craft effective outreach messages that will help you stand out from the competition.
Crafting effective outreach messages
Now that you’ve established your outreach strategy, it’s time to craft effective outreach messages to grab the attention of potential employers and motivate a response. Here are key elements to consider when crafting your outreach, then we’ll offer examples you can use:
1. Personalization
Start your outreach message with a personalized greeting, naming the recipient. Even if it is a message you use for all outreach, at least make sure it has their name in it. You’d be surprised how often this small step is skipped.
2. Clear introduction
In your opening sentence, introduce yourself concisely and explain why you’re reaching out. Avoid jargon or language that might be unfamiliar to the recipient – often, they are not the actual recruiter and you don’t want to risk alienating them.
3. Value proposition
In the body of your message, highlight the value you can bring to the company, be it your experience, skill, or a specific project or achievement relevant to their hiring needs. Be specific and use concrete examples to demonstrate your value proposition.
4. Call to action
End your message with a clear call to action, such as an invitation to review your resume, or a request for a phone (or Zoom) call. Be confident but always be polite.
Quick examples:
- Hi [Name], My name is [Your Name], and I’m a recent graduate with an advanced degree in marketing from [University Name]. I noticed [Company Name]’s focus on innovative marketing strategies and have applied for the Marketing Associate Role. Would you be available for a call next week to review my resume?
- Good morning [Name], I recently came across your company and I was impressed with the work that you’re doing in the field of artificial intelligence. I’m a software developer with a passion for machine learning and I think my experience in this area could be of value to your team. Would you be interested in discussing potential opportunities over a phone or Zoom call?
Remember, the key to crafting effective outreach messages is to be authentic, specific, and above all else, concise. By highlighting your unique value proposition and expressing genuine interest in the company, you can increase your chances of receiving a response. Don’t expect a response to every single message you send out – employers can be stretched pretty thin at times, and no matter how genuine your interest, they’re receiving messages like this every day, so just be direct.
Next up, we’ll discuss how to follow up with potential employers after your initial outreach.
Following up with employers
Following up with potential employers is an essential part of your employer outreach system. Without proper follow-up, you will miss important opportunities or fail to build meaningful connections with potential employers. Here are some elements to consider when following up:
1. Establish a follow up schedule
First and foremost, the culture of the company you’re applying at is going to dictate a lot of what your follow up schedule looks like, and it can differ in each scenario. For example, following up after an initial email to a small web design company in Georgia will be very different than following up at a massive financial institution in New York City. Don’t be pushy but put yourself on a schedule so nothing falls through the cracks.
(This is where your chosen technology for tracking all of this becomes important – we’ll address that soon, we swear!)
2. Sending your follow up message
If you’ve determined that a week is an appropriate time to follow up if you haven’t heard back from your point of contact, email again in the same email thread, reiterating your interest and remaining as concise as possible. Don’t forget to include a clear call to action.
3. Personalize your follow up
Employers know that successful candidates have an outreach system they’ve set up, so they know you’re using the same messages to other employers. Use this as an opportunity to briefly touch on something specific about the company, especially a recent accomplishment in the division you’d be working in, for example.
4. Be persistent, but polite
If you don’t receive a response to your follow up message, don’t be discouraged – employers get busy, things fall through the cracks, hiring needs shift mid-process, and any number of things may occur that you’ll never know about. Space your messages out by a few weeks, and if they haven’t replied by the third follow up, it’s time to move on from that specific contact.
Examples:
- Hi [Name], I’m writing to follow up on my previous message to see if you have any availability next week for a quick call to discuss the Technical Writer position? I remain interested, especially now that [Company Name} was just named a Top 100 Place to Work by the Business Journal! If there is a different way you’d prefer to communicate, I’m flexible and would love to connect.
- Hello [Name], I recently saw that [Company Name] was featured in [Publication Name] for its innovative use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. I’m still very excited about the work that you’re doing and I’d love to discuss potential opportunities to contribute to your team. Would you have any time for a quick chat next week to catch up? Thank you, [Your Name]
By giving yourself a follow up schedule, personalizing your messages, and being persistent but polite, you’re increasing your chances of landing your next job. Next, we’ll finally talk about setting up your tracking system!
Setting up and managing your employer outreach tracking system
You’ve established your strategy and are ready to start reaching out to potential employers, so let’s talk about keeping everything organized.
1. Use a spreadsheet or tracking tool
Some people are most comfortable in spreadsheet land, and that’s perfectly okay. Others use a basic CRM (customer relationship management) tool, and visual folks lean towards using a tool like Trello or Huntr (which is specifically for job hunting – here is an example “Board”).
Because of the volume of applications, points of contacts, interviews, and each note, it can be overwhelming, so don’t skip selecting a tool that works for you.
2. Set goals and metrics
To measure the success of your employer outreach efforts, it is important to set goals. This may include a target number of outreach messages per week, a goal for the number of employer connections you want to make, or a metric for the response rate to your outreach messages. This will help you to stay motivated and track your progress over time.
3. Evaluate and refine your strategy
As you start to receive responses from potential employers and build connections, it’s important to evaluate and refine your outreach strategy. This may include adjusting your messaging to better resonate with employers, or refining your follow up schedule to be more effective.
Be gentle on yourself and adjust your goals as you learn what is realistic for your industry in today’s climate.
4. Stay organized and consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to employer outreach. Be sure to carve out dedicated time each week to focus on your outreach efforts, and stick to your established follow up schedule.
By staying organized and consistent, you can build a strong foundation for success in your job search.
If you commit to tracking your outreach, setting goals and metrics, evaluating and refining your strategy, and staying organized and consistent, you can build a strong employer outreach system that maximizes your chances of success in your job search.
It’s time to get started!
Building a strong employer outreach system can be a powerful tool in your job search, helping you connect with potential employers and stand out in a competitive job market. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can establish a comprehensive outreach strategy, craft effective outreach messages, follow up with potential employers, and manage your outreach efforts over time.
Remember, success in your job search is not just about sending out as many messages as possible. It’s about crafting targeted messages that resonate with potential employers, and building a consistent and focused outreach effort over time.
Craft realistic goals and stay organized, track your progress, and refine your strategy to get ahead in this competitive job market.
