Hirability

Hey, running a small (but mighty) shop like ours is pretty tough. Client demands, developing new business, coming up with new products and services – all of this keeps us moving. So, when we get inquiries from folks who want a job…well…

We saw an awesome post from March 10 that is worth sharing. Anne Buchanan, from Buchanan Public Relations, hits the nail on the head with the title: “Why You Will Never Get Hired at Our PR Firm.” (Read it, then come back. We’ll wait.)

Good piece, huh? And scary, too. Scary like Vampires.

Fact: Small Business, the Backbone of America, may be your better bet for getting a job.

So…how DO you approach folks like me – CEO of a small business that will oneday be a much larger business – if you’re looking for your next gig?

In other words…

How Can You Ensure Your Own Hirability?

1. Pay the Karma Bank.

“How Can I Help You?” Probably the greatest question you can ask. It could be an introduction, a re-introduction, a LinkedIn connection.

It might be a tweet or a re-tweet. It could be a guest blog post.

Even if you don’t think you have something to offer…well, you need to think again.

2. Follow-through.

The post from Anne Buchanan brought back memories for me – I was once VP of Global Public Relations (really!) for a large Financial Services company (double really!). While I had to navigate internal politics, I was happy to make introductions where I could see mutual benefit: maybe it was a college student looking for an internship, or it was someone who wanted to break into agency life and needed an intro to a contact or two.

Points can be scored through a simple thank you note – email is fine – even if all I did for you was make an introduction.

Just as easily: points can be lost by, well, not doing this sort of thing.

3. Be Prepared.

Time for the “What Now?” story of the day. Names and firms hidden to protect the innocent. This actually happened.

Oh, and this much I will tell ya: the offender? A woman in her 40s. Worked in tech-related field.

I had set up the networking opportunity based on an intro from a colleague – the offender was arriving from San Francisco and wanted to sit down to discuss ways to partner. Meeting began on time. Pleasant handshakes, sit down at a conference table. Next…

Offender: “Do you have a pen?”

Me: “Sure, here’s an extra one. No worries.”

Discussion continues in earnest. One minute later, discussion halted with another question.

Offender: “Do you have any paper?”

Me: “Sure.” (Worries.)

We’re off on the wrong foot, we have a very one-sided discussion (about her) and she’s pleasantly on her way.

I was looking forward to polite written follow-up, but I think, since I had given her just one piece of paper, this wasn’t going to happen.

Though, given her role in technology, I thought there was a chance for an email follow-up. None.

4. Use “Social Media” With Caution.

EVERYONE is a Social Media Expert.

Thus, having 1,000 or 10,000 Twitter Followers, or maxing out on Facebook friends, these things do nothing for the Hiring Manager.

It’s how you interact with people on Social Media that is everything.

One-sided conversations, lack of sharing, lack of interaction – those are the things that will get you dinged by potential hiring managers before you even get the chance to sit down for an interview.

5. FINALLY: Give it time.

Your first interaction with me had better not be asking for a job. Sniff around and find out what it is that my firm is up to. Get a sense of who we are, how we operate, what we are doing – and not doing.

Your first interaction with me had better not be asking to “tap my brain in exchange for a cup of coffee.” I’ll tell you what: I’ll buy the coffee, you pay me my hourly rate.

It’s trite but true: Time Is Money. Yours is valuable, mine is valuable.

There you go. Hirability in just 5 Steps. Whaddya think…any other “Hirability Tips” you’d like to share?