Between two products equal in price, function and quality, the better looking will out sell the other. (Loewy)
Two booths of software were side by side. One was superior technically. The other had a salesman who was a whiz. People were crowding around the great salesman. The technically superior product kept losing crowds to that other salesman. Finally the president of the losing company decided to try and eliminate the problem. He offered a substantial raise, relocation package and perks to the salesman who was beating him. I talked to that salesman later. It was a great moment in his career.
As a programmer, brick layer or CEO the best way to look for a job at a convention is to be the best salesman for your company. That means helping everyone you can. Get their cards. Get a card for you and one for your company. During your free time go to as many booths as you can and get cards from other people.
If you are serious about getting a new job, you will find an “inside contact” at every company whose booth you visit. You don’t have to talk “jobs” with them at the convention. What makes this even sweeter is that many of those people will come to your booth and initiate the contact.
After the convention volunteer to help the sales force out. Contact all the people you met while at your booth. Give them the company line your salespeople want them to hear. Keep notes about every contact you make.
Still serious about your job search? Sort the cards out into three piles:
- I’d love to work there.
- I’d consider working there.
- I’d never work there.
Don’t throw any of them out. Tomorrow when I talk about what to do with each pile, you’ll see why you even want to contact people at places you would never work.
Something To Do Today
If you are serious about finding a new job, conventions are great. They are also a LOT of work. Decide how much time you are really interested in spending on that job search.