How high up the food chain do you call for a job?
High. But, make sure you get the people under them as well. A proper Troll’s diet is balanced.
We had a guy we placed in a very difficult job a few years ago. There were a bunch of reasons it was tough. One contributing factor was that his boss’s boss, Mr. Big, wanted to hire the guy over the objections of the direct boss, Mr. Manager. That could put some strain on the relationship with Mr. Manager from the start.
Can I make it more complicated? Mr. Manager also hated the Human Resources (HR) person assigned to find his new lackey. If the person came from HR, they were dead meat. They would only survive if they come from that Mr. Manager’s direct contacts or from Mr. Big. And if they were recommended by Mr. Big, Mr. Manager had to really like them.
This kind of dynamic goes on a lot in companies. It sounds horrible, and it is. But there are very good jobs filled this way. So, you need to be in contact with people outside of the HR department.
Here are some guidelines about who to call in a company to get a job:
- If you are NOT able or qualified, don’t try to get yourself forced into a job. You will fail. You know better.
- Get a mentor, someone who could help guide you up the corporate chain. Mr. Big is great for this, if you can get his recommendation.
- Sometimes, your boss hates his boss or even the HR department. You have to prove you are good enough for the job. Just being good enough for an interview won’t cut it.
Here are some thoughts on whom you won’t offend:
- You will never offend the Human Resources (HR) department by calling about a job. Their job is to stay in contact with you.
- If you know someone personally, talk to them. The higher the better. The higher they are, the more likely they like to help people.
- If a friend or acquaintance gives someone your resume, call the person they give it to. Consider it a personal introduction.
- If you are in the same club, church, kid’s soccer team or booster club with someone at the company, call them. Mention at a soccer practice that you are going to call, then call them at work.
- If someone says, “Tell Mr. Big I said to call”, then call Mr. Big and use that name no matter how high up or low they are. The person who told you to call may get a bonus if you call and use their name.
- If Mr. Big is looking for help, you won’t offend him by calling. He may tell you to talk to someone else. No problem. Tell that person Mr. Big said to call.
- If Mr. Big is NOT looking for help, he’ll probably tell you to call HR and forget you. There is little chance you will offend him. Call again in 3 months.
- Big’s secretary won’t mind being called as long as you tell her the truth. Often she knows more about what is going on than Mr. Big. Get her to help you.
That is a big list of people you will not offend when you call into a company. Do it. Call in. Call Mr. Big. It can get you one of those jobs that is not yet advertised.
Something To Do Today
Take the list of companies you want into, and see who you can contact in those companies. Use the list above as a starter. Who do you know?