How Things Have Changed

In today’s society, it isn’t acceptable not to address emails and cover letters to a specific person. With the Internet as a tool (or just a simple phone call) it’s easy to find the right contacts. The Yellow Pages are still useful in certain circumstances, but for a job search, websites like LinkedIn are far superior.

Personalize Every Time

Don’t be tempted to use a generic salutation in any document, even if you are asked to send a job application to a generic email address.

To find out the right person to send an application to, first check the job posting to see if there’s a contact person included in the listing. Always check your emails and documents to make sure they include the proper name(s) and address(es).

When applying online, make sure you include the right person’s name, even if you’re applying through an online application system.

During your job search, get business cards from everyone you meet (whenever possible).Don’t forget to write a thank-you email after every interview. Better yet, go the extra mile by sending a handwritten thank-you note. Make it short, simple, and sincere.

Ways to Find Contacts When You Apply for an Opening

The best place to start is to find the name of a human resource person in the company you are applying for, or the hiring manager or department manager. You can go to the company’s website for reference.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on the company’s website, you may want to take advantage of social media. There are numerous social media platforms out there like LinkedIn where you can read up on company news or other media.

When sending your email or cover letter, include a line or two that lets you demonstrate that you’ve done your research about the company. Don’t forget to share why you’re interested in working for the company and why you are a perfect fit for the job. Follow up a week or two after you’ve sent in your application if you don’t get a response.