The TwoHour Job Search How to find contact

The Two-Hour Job Search How to find, contact and recruit advocates to provide internal referrals. UMSI Career Development Office umsi. careers@umich. edu *If you need to access this presentation in a different format, please let us know.

Strategies and techniques based on The 2 -Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton

Agenda • Find & Prioritize (LAMP Method) • Contact (5 Point Email and Tracking) • Recruit (Informational Interviewing and Follow Up)

I. Prioritize using the LAMP Method The LAMP Method is a systematic, efficient process for making a prioritized list of target employers. L • L=List • 40 minutes A • A=Alumni • 10 minutes M • M=Motivation • 5 minutes P • P=Posting • 15 minutes

Step 1: L = Target Company List • Suggested time frame: 40 minutes • Suggested # of employers: 40 • Make the list in Excel TIP: Limit your time and distraction tendencies by following the ‘two click rule’ – never follow an internet lead for more than two clicks to ensure you stay on track.

Four Approaches to Making a List Method Benefits Best for Job Seekers Who Are… Dream Research is applicable to employers multiple employers Targeting a specific industry Alumni Have contacts at every employers target employer Targeting a specific role/job title Restricted by geography Undecided about their career Shy Posting search Target employers are currently hiring Targeting a specific role/job title Restricted by geography Trend following Learn about industry while researching; locate less-obvious employers Switching careers Seeking smaller employers

Example of List # LIST 1 Google 2 IBM 3 The Skimm 4 Handshake 5 NIC, Inc. … 40 University of Michigan ALUMNI MOTIVATION POSTING

The Power of Alumni • Linked. In = best tool to identify alums • Join Alumni Groups Program SI UM • Official • Unofficial Undergra d Professiona l Association s

Step 2: A=Alumni • Suggested time frame: 10 minutes # LIST ALUMNI 1 Google Y 2 IBM Y 3 The Skimm N 4 Handshake Y 5 NIC, Inc. N 6 … University of Michigan Y MOTIVATION POSTING

Step 3: M=Motivation • Suggested time frame: 5 minutes • Motivation is the engine that ultimately drives your job search forward • 5=highest interest 2= least interested 1= simply don’t know about them

M=Motivation # LIST ALUMNI MOTIVATION 1 Google Y 5 2 IBM Y 4 3 The Skimm N 3 4 Handshake Y 3 5 NIC, Inc. N 1 Y 2 6 … University of Michigan POSTING

Step 4: P=Postings • Use Indeed. com • Suggested time frame: 15 minutes # LIST ALUMNI MOTIVATION POSTING 1 Google Y 5 3 2 IBM Y 4 3 3 The Skimm N 3 1 4 Handshake Y 3 3 5 NIC, Inc. N 1 1 Y 2 2 6 … University of Michigan

Step 5: Sort List • Motivation – from largest to smallest • Posting – from largest to smallest • Alumni – reverse alphabetically causing Y to appear before N

Result: LIST ALUMNI MOTIVATION POSTING Google Y 5 3 IBM Y 4 3 Handshake Y 3 3 The Skimm N 3 1 University of Michigan Y 2 2 NIC, Inc. N 1 1

II. Contact – Who to Target (20 min) Curmudgeons Obligates Boosters • Don’t respond to outreach email • Motivated by guilt and takes up your time • Useful contacts and information • Won’t be an advocate or connector, might not know this right away • Usually responds within 3 days • Target your corresponden ce with this

Identify Contacts on Linked. In • Use the advanced search function on Linked. In, fill in Employer name, select “current”. • You may also want to specify “University of Michigan” in ‘School’ to leverage your mutual alumni status with potential contacts.

No Alumni contacts? Linked. In, Twitter, FB • Does anyone know someone at “x” Data. com Connect - https: //connect. data. com/ • Provides lists of contacts at selected companies – may need to pay for extra information – first 5 contacts free Fan Mail – Google Stalking • Emails 4 Corporations. com will give email pattern for a particular company (ex: jdoe@ford. com) • Google the target employer’s name, a relevant key word, and “interview with. ” Target upper middle management

II. Contact using 5 -point email method (20 min) No mention of Job Fewer than 100 words Connectio n goes first Emai l Generaliz e Interest Maintain Control of follow up

5 point email example #1 SUBJECT: Michigan MSI student seeking your advice Dear Ms. Ray, My name is Joe Jones, and I am a graduating MSI (HCI specialization) student and I found your information on the Linked. In Alumni group for the school. May I have 20 minutes to ask about your experience with IBM? I am trying to learn about tech companies in Texas, and your insights would be helpful. I recognize this may be a busy time for you, so if we are unable to connect by email I’ll try to reach you next week to see whether that is more convenient. Thank you for your time, Joe

5 point email example #2 SUBJECT: Michigan student seeking your advice Dear Mr. Zader, My name is Joe Jones, and I am a senior in the Bachelor of Science in Information program focused on user experience. I found your information on the Linked. In Alumni group for UM. May I set up a phone call with you to discuss your experience with Handshake? Your insights would be greatly appreciated, as I am now in the process of applying for an open user experience designer position there. I recognize this may be a busy time for you, so if we are unable to connect by email I’ll try to reach you next week to see whether that is more convenient. Thank you for your time, Joe

5 point email example #3 SUBJECT: Your interview with Belfray Asset Management Dear Mr. Sachdev, I’m just completing my MSI degree at the University of Michigan School of Information, and I found your thoughts on the role of tech companies in your interview with Greg Skidmore to be very interesting. Would you mind discussing your work further with me in a brief phone chat? I had a few follow-up questions, and your insights would be valuable. Thank you for your time, Joe

Tracking Using “ 3 B 7” – (10 min. ) • Set two reminders on your calendar: • Reminder 1: 3 business days later • Reminder 2: 7 business days later • If receive response before Reminder 1 (within 3 days – yay!) schedule information session ASAP! • Follow-up at 7 day mark (if no response) via phone or email

3 B 7 Approach • If no response before Reminder 1 – initiate outreach to second possible contact at same employer

Final Outreach Tips: Remember your goal is to find boosters Don’t sweat those that never reciprocate If you don’t hear back, simply move on

III – Recruit Why do Informational Interviews? “These days the job seeker with the best advocacy network – not the one with the best experience gets the

Information Interview Phases An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working in the field to 1. ) gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry 2. ) to build a network of contacts in that field Pre-work • Research • Small Talk Phase 1 Phase 2 • Questions & Answers • Next Steps Phase 3

Research is Critical Websites: • Vault. com • Glass. Door Company Website: • Headlines/news • Mission Statement Google: • What is being said online? Gather enough knowledge in order to demonstrate proper respect for the contact time and to be conversant on any current topics the employer may bring up.

Small Talk ur o y t u o b a me l l e t u o y u o y Can w o h nd a d n u o r backg ur o y r o f k r wo came to rs? e y o l p m e u o y e r a cts e j o r p t w? o Wha n t h g i n r o g n i k r wo How is your d ay going s o far?

Q & A Using the TIARA Method • Trends T • Insight I A • Advice R • Resources A • Assignment

T= Trends • What trends are most impacting your business right now? • How has your business changed most since you started? • How do you think your business will change most dramatically in the next several years?

I = Insight • What surprises you most about your job/your employer? • What’s the best lesson you’ve learned on the job? • What’s been your most valuable experience at your employer so far and why? • If you had to attribute your success at your employer to one skill or trait, what would it be? …Is that trait shared by many across the firm or is it unique and you’ve adapted?

A = Advice • What can I be doing right now to prepare myself for a career in this field? • If I got hired, what should I be sure to do within the first thirty days to ensure I get off to the fastest start possible? • What do you know that you wish you’d known when you were my age or in my position? • If you were me, what would you be doing right now to maximize your chance of breaking in this industry or function?

R = Resources • What resources should I be sure to look into next? Or alternatively: • What next steps would you recommend for someone in my situation?

A = Assignment • What project(s) have you done for your employer that you felt added the most value? • Have any projects increased in popularity recently at your organization • Have you had interns or contractors in the past? If so, what sort of projects have they done?

Next Steps = Part 1 Closing Wrapping up the conversation… • Our time is up, but thank you so much for your time today – you’ve given me a lot to think about, and it sounds like you’re working for a great organization. • I’m going to take a few days to process all of the information you’ve shared. If, on reflection, it seems like your organization and I may make a good mutual fit, is it OK if I reach back out to you to get your recommendations for how best to proceed from here?

Next Steps = Part 2 Closing 1. ) Send a thank you note immediately after 2. ) A week later: • Hi Marcus, On further reflection, I think your organization and I might be a great mutual fit. Per your offer last week, may I take a few more minutes of your time to ask you what next steps you’d recommend for me to maximize my chances of getting an interview with [the employer? ] Although not part of the “The 2 -Hour Job search – Ramit Sethi’s closing the loop technique is very helpful: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=7 BSE 2 Rbny 84&feature=yo utu. be

The Follow-Up • After an informational interview, systemize your follow-up • Send a thank you email the next day • Set up a recurring one-month reminder • What’s in monthly check-in? 1. Thanks again 2. Recap of advice given in previous conversation 3. Summary of benefits derived from following that advice 4. Request for further suggestions

Check-in Example Subject: Progress update Dear Soma, Thank you again for speaking with me last month. I found your insights incredibly helpful, particularly on the importance of empathizing with the user. Also, per your advice, I started reading UX Mag to get a better sense for current UX trends. I’m now feeling much more able to converse knowledgably about the challenges and opportunities facing UX designers these days. Do you have any additional suggestions or recommendations that you think may prove helpful? Any further guidance would be greatly appreciated, but if nothing comes to mind, I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my progress over the coming weeks. Best regards, James

Wrap-Up • Typically three outcomes of an informational interview • Advance: immediately or shortly after connects you to a hiring manager or asks for your resume to pass along themselves • Hold: still responds to your follow-up messages, but doesn’t have any further helpful information. Focus your efforts elsewhere until it’s time to check-in again. • Drop: stops responding to your follow-up messages. Start trying to find a new contact.

Additional Resources • “How Not to Be a Networking Leech: Tips for Seeking Professional Advice”, The New York Times • What is an Informational Interview and How Can it Help Your Career, About. com • Mastering the Informational Interview, NY Times Blog • Informational Interviewing Tutorial, Quint Careers

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