First Steps ..... Action Plan

First Steps: Action Plan

Once you have selected a target companies then follow the below 12 steps for each of the companies that you have chosen. Your main objective is to get “your name” in front of the prospective employers as often as possible in a 2 week cycle.

1. Step 1: Day One: Prior to sending the first info document . Email or call the potential hiring manager that the missive is coming. Only write a short note; "Please expect an interesting note, or “I sent you some interesting info and look forward to discussing it with you. “ Sign your first name only.

(A word of caution: Be sure that the target is still there and located at that address.) (Call and confirm info) This example works for both the existing/advertised jobs, as well as, the hidden opportunities. We have also had great success with the ever limited recruiting arm of the transition industry. www.linkedin.com research can be very helpful here. (Yes, your email could end up as spam.) Please check out this alternative. Alternative & Danger See: Link below to Additional

Select your companies: Target

Use your prospective new company’s NEWS/press to find Exec’s email addresses or call very early or late and ask for it. Say that you have been trying to email and it keeps coming back, say “What am I doing wrong?” You will get the address, if you use the dumb card. People like to help, when it puts them in a position of authority, even if is only for a moment. (For companies over $150 million you can go to the EVP, but again, make sure it is at least two levels above where you want to be.)

2. Step 2: Day Two: Mail: Tuesday is a great day to mail the info doc or first piece of the Candidate Information Program. Only attach a "yellow sticky" that says “thought you would be interested.” Sign only with your first name. Send no cover letter. Include a business card inside the missive. Be sure to hand write all the envelopes, preferably in a woman's hand.. In the lower left hand corner of the envelope, write personal & confidential. Your return address might only be your last name only and the city and state. (Gives the illusion of anonymity.)

3. Step 3: Day Three: Call and let the hiring authority know the info doc should be there today or tomorrow. Use Dial by Name on the company’s system to locate executive’s #.

Call early, 7:30AM-9:00 to get access to internal system. Dial by name directory. See: Call Schedule Be sure to have a prepared text done for the Voice Mail.

4. Step 4: Day Four: Email or call, or both to be sure they received your missive. Leave just your first name and contact #, as if they know you. Yes, it sounds like a game of cat and mouse, it is. Please see this alternative: Option Make this a "warm" call, not a cold call. Everyone is afraid of the first 10 phone calls. That is why you send the first 5 to companies you do not want to join.

5. Step 5: Day Five: Email or Call or both, to secure an appointment.

Early Friday morning is the best time to call, as executives are usually in. Always use an “either or close.”

Example: Is Wednesday at 10:10 AM or Thursday @ 4:50 PM best for you? In sales parlance this is called an assumptive close. You are assuming you have an appt, you are just checking on the time. *** If you find that the "C" level executive is travelling excessively and has not yet seen your information and you have already secured their email address you can send the new Tri-Fold (2-19-10) product designed for email. Rip
If you do send the Ripped page via email please make sure that the exec can read it on their cell phone. (You can think about both attatching it and placing it in the email to the travelling exec.) See: Outcomes See: Parley

6. Step 6: After you secure an appt, ps or face to face, always send an email confirmation.

6a. When the exec tells you there is no job available say yes, I know. Say, "I am not looking for a JOB!" I am looking for the hidden job that is why I sent my information to you. If they repeat it again, ask them to become a "Career Advisor" and if they would review and make changed to your information. Finally, after they have made changes ask them to recommend a "competitor," once they make those changes and therefore have taken ownership of you they are much more likely to attempt to find a place with them.

End of first week.

7. Step 7: Second Week: If you have not heard from them, attempt to secure an appt with a call or email; that states only: “Have not heard from you,” leave your first name and contact # only.

8. Step 8: Wait two to 3 days after step 7; and then attempt to secure an Appt again or send “Dear John” Letter on this site or in the book.

9. Step 9: This the final step before cleansing the list. See Email: “Last Ditch Effort” (Book Page 235) Call us for the info on the site.

10. Step 10: Always cleanse your target list every two weeks. Save all the information, as in a month you could recycle it.

11. Step 11: Once you have secured a position, always send an email note to all contacts that you have made since the beginning of the program to inform them of the position, company and responsibility.

12. Step 12: After you have been in the position for 3 months, send an email to each of your target companies again acknowledging them for their courtesy. Keep in touch for at least the first 6 months to a year.

****Warning: You will get people who will call you, and say "please stop" we have no positions. You then say, I thought so, but after careful research, I really want to be with your company. When can we get together?

They might say you are too aggressive, and as I have said often, your answer back is yes, I am. I got to the decision maker, don't you want all your people to do their jobs with that level of enthusiasm and urgency?

That is a close statement, be quiet. Then ask again when can we get together, use an either or time and date. Now wait for the other party to speak and make the appointment.

See:
Additional

List

Before you launch read the folowing pages:

Good Morning

Call Responses

What?

Trans

Current?

Targets

See Dunbar's Number Dunbar

Copy this page and hang in your office while in Transition.

Please see our book for more information.

Copyright Notice: All materials herein are under copyright protection and may not be duplicated except for personal use. Any other use; is expressly prohibited by law without the express written consent of the author. Address all inquiries for exceptions to: Transition Compass 782 Bayliss Drive Suite C Marietta, GA 30068 770-579-6050