Turn Rejection Into a Lead
I have no idea why I didn’t think of this before.
When I’m shopping for a specific item and a particular store doesn’t have it, I ask if they know where I can find it. Very often the salesperson will direct me to one or two places.
Today, I met with a recruiter for a staffing service. (I found out they don’t call themselves employment agencies these days.) She was very helpful. Well, as helpful as she could be. They didn’t really have anything for me and she didn’t think she would for at least a couple more months. But, instead of ending the conversation there and sending me on my way, she gave me some suggestions on places to apply on my own. Of course, she couldn’t guarantee anything but they were places that I hadn’t thought of myself.
I’m going to follow her lead. The next time someone tells me that they aren’t hiring or accepting applications at this time, I’ll ask if they anticipate needing someone in a few months. If that’s a dead end, I’ll ask if they know of any companies that are hiring or places where I might be a better fit. It can’t hurt. Or can it?
What do you think? Is this a good plan? Have you done anything like this? How did it work for you?
February 5, 2009 at 1:52 am
Hey thats great advice; I’ve been doing the exact same thing lately but I find that often times you’ll apply to a job and then it will fall into a black hole where the only time you’ll get a reply is if you get the interview. I’m actually kind of frustrated at companies who send you a response e-mail saying that they have received your job application, but then have a disclaimer which says that only candidates hired for interviews will get contacted. Anyway, long story short, if someone personally e-mails me a rejection, I’ll try to ask them for feedback as well as places that may have a similar position / other companies in the area that may be hiring (it also probably helps if you like what they’re doing / what their values are so that you can ask what companies have similar products / values)
February 5, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I found this site, http://ow.ly/afD. There’s some good stuff there that fits this subject. Check it out.