This is a continuation of the series of Blue Collar Job Search posts. Have you figured out that most of this applies to white collar job seekers? Funny how that happens.
Yesterday I met with my buddy and we talked about creating a regular job search newsletter. This is something I had blogged about before but I couldn’t find the post, so I’ll write it again 🙂
After going through various things, including word-smithing a pretty good elevator pitch, we were ready to let people know how they could help him with his job search. The first newsletter will include a brief introduction to his situation and let people know how they can help. In just a few words it will share his value proposition, his relevant history that helps paint a picture of his breadth and depth, and then he says “and this is the elevator pitch I’m working, I’d appreciate any feedback.”
In that introductory email his contacts learn certain things:
- That he is in transition (this is critical – not everyone knows)
- That he has a strong background and is skilled and competent
- What kinds of companies he would like to work for, or what kind of work environment he is interested in
And then his elevator pitch seals the deal – they are given some really good, concise information about him and what he’s looking for.
I thought this type of newsletter would be sent once a month but as I thought about it with him I think it is appropriate to send it every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on what’s new in his job search. In other words, if he is networking and finding new companies and is active then he has new stuff to put in his newsletter, and he needs to stay in front of his circle of friends that can help him. If he doesn’t do much then don’t send it so often (hopefully he’ll send it every two weeks, which means he is keeping busy!).
The future newsletters will include the following points (not what I’ve listed in the introductory job seeker newsletter, above):
- A list of the companies he’s contacted, or wanted to contact,
- A list of job titles he is applying or interviewing for,
- A list of companies he’d like introductions to.
The key here is CONCISE. Keep it short, don’t get off track, and give just the right amount of information so people can help you (as opposed to writing too much (won’t be read) or off-track stuff (too dramatic and paints you in a sour light)).
This is the job seeker newsletter… appropriate for my blue collar buddy as well as the white collar job seeker!
The JibberJobber Blue Collar Job Search Series:
- Blue Collar Job Search – How To Find A Blue Collar Job (5/17/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search – What Do You Want in a Job (5/18/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search – Identify Target Companies (5/19/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search – What Job Titles Do You Want? (5/20/10)
- Shame (5/24/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search: Your Elevator Pitch (5/27/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search – Personal Values Propositions (5/28/10)
- Blue Collar Job Search – Job Seeker Newsletter (6/3/10)
Great Idea, Jason! I think there is merit to this approach although I would also somehow create a personal touch to the circle of friends because to keep the group involved they need to feel needed. I like the idea of the job seeker updates but I would like that to be more personal than the type you see businesses create for their customers and clients because you are actually hoping that the reader will be personally involved with your client. These are the kinds of actions that are hardest for job seekers who like to hide behind submitting to job boards or other online applications or just drop resumes off blindly. A targeted job search means bringing everyone on board who can help you cut the search short and communicate regularly making them feel special.
I agree – what do you suggest to make it more personal? Also, one issue with adding more stuff is some people will tend to make it longer, which to me means it won’t be read (but I’m sure you can make it more personal and still keep it short)… suggestions?
Depends on the delivery method, if this is a more personalized e-mail newsletter not a mass mail like a Constant Contact version, then you could hand send it to the group with a short e-mail message at the top of the actual newsletter: “I just thought you might like to know what I am doing with my job search. I really enjoyed our coffee chat last week. Thank you so much for sharing your time…”
This becomes more difficult if you have a large group you are working with but just like I would never advise a mass mailing of a resume, a personalized job search means that the job seeker can use business-like tools but should use them in a personalized, customized manner.