When you were in high school, was there ever someone you wanted to ask on a date? You might have waited for weeks for the opportunity to get their attention. When the moment finally arrived you were thrilled, nervous and anxious. This was your moment, your one shot.
Now what?
A sports talk host recently experienced a similar situation in the job market. After weeks of trying, he gained the attention online of a radio station program director for whom he wants to work. Now what?
When you get an employer’s attention on social media, in email, or in person, keep two keys in mind to move the conversation forward.
1. Don’t be intimidated
Remember the employer is no different than you, so treat a conversation with them as you would a conversation with a friend. Don’t try to plan it. Be confident that you will naturally come up with questions about which you’re curious.
2. Be genuinely interested in the person
Conversing with a prospective employer is similar to a first date. Ask questions for the purpose of getting to know them. Research the employer. Ask why they attended college where they did. If you find something you share in common, talk about it.
You can also ask questions like these:
- What do you enjoy about working at this station?
- What do you like about working for this employer?
- What do you like about living in this city?
- What are some traits in past employees that you’ve especially liked?
- What do you look for in a sports talk host?
These strategies also work great in a job interview when the employer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”
By taking a genuine interest in the employer, you’ll find countless questions to move the conversation forward, get to know them better and make them more comfortable with you.
