This is a continuation of the series of Blue Collar Job Search posts. Have you figured out that most of this applies to white collar job seekers? Funny how that happens.
Yesterday I met with my buddy and we talked about creating a regular job search newsletter. This is something I had blogged about before but I couldn’t find the post, so I’ll write it again 
After going through various things, including word-smithing a pretty good elevator pitch, we were ready to let people know how they could help him with his job search. The first newsletter will include a brief introduction to his situation and let people know how they can help. In just a few words it will share his value proposition, his relevant history that helps paint a picture of his breadth and depth, and then he says “and this is the elevator pitch I’m working, I’d appreciate any feedback.”
In that introductory email his contacts learn certain things:
- That he is in transition (this is critical – not everyone knows)
- That he has a strong background and is skilled and competent
- What kinds of companies he would like to work for, or what kind of work environment he is interested in
And then his elevator pitch seals the deal – they are given some really good, concise information about him and what he’s looking for.
I thought this type of newsletter would be sent once a month but as I thought about it with him I think it is appropriate to send it every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on what’s new in his job search. In other words, if he is networking and finding new companies and is active then he has new stuff to put in his newsletter, and he needs to stay in front of his circle of friends that can help him. If he doesn’t do much then don’t send it so often (hopefully he’ll send it every two weeks, which means he is keeping busy!).
The future newsletters will include the following points (not what I’ve listed in the introductory job seeker newsletter, above):
- A list of the companies he’s contacted, or wanted to contact,
- A list of job titles he is applying or interviewing for,
- A list of companies he’d like introductions to.
The key here is CONCISE. Keep it short, don’t get off track, and give just the right amount of information so people can help you (as opposed to writing too much (won’t be read) or off-track stuff (too dramatic and paints you in a sour light)).
This is the job seeker newsletter… appropriate for my blue collar buddy as well as the white collar job seeker!
