I’m helping a former student from my A+ Certification class find a long-term contract or full time IT position so now’s a good time to share the steps we’re going through. This process works as I’ve used it myself and guided others. You will get an interview if you follow this process.

Interviewing can be scary. I still remember when I contacted the Geek squad in 1998. I had been reading What Color Is Your Parachute faithfully and had submitted my resume as instructed. Oh was I nervous about followup! Upon not hearing back, I called and spoke with Andy Bork who promised my resume would be reviewed. Surel enough, I was asked in to take the famed “Geek Test”, interviewed by Robert Stephens himself and offered a job! People from the old Geeksquad know how much Robert Stephens enjoyed novelty so of course he waited until Christmas Eve to call me with the job offer. I’ve got to give it to him, the man was a marketing genius.

Fast forward 10 years and now I could get a job in my sleep. I’ve been hired as a direct employee, for contract work through technical recruiting firms and as a consultant at least 30 times since working at Geeksquad. So many jobs! How horrible my friends would exclaim! How can anyone even look at your resume and want to hire you? You’d be surprised. When they see my experience, talk with me and watch me demonstrate my understanding of technology, I receive offers.

In the old days, working at one job until retirement was the thing to do. It was literally shameful to have “several” jobs or work part-time. As companies merged, closed, went under or just decided to layoff folks, workers had to adapt. Many people still hold onto this fear of losing their jobs to the point it’s irrational. I know grown men and women in technology who aren’t making enough to pay their bills. They are borrowing on credit to make up for their salary shortfalls. This isn’t due to their lack of skills but lack of courage.

If you’re ready to earn what you’re worth (ie. What other people besides you are making in your same role) read on…

Step #1 Explore

Figure out the job title you currently have. Is this what you want to do? Is there a similar job you’d like to try your hand at? Good, write it down.

Common technical titles for 0-5 years experience in computer technology:

• Information Technology Specialist
• Level 1 Support
• Desktop Support Technician
• IT Information Systems
• Computer Analyst
• Computer Technician

Step #2 Research

Using the titles from #1, start with Google. What shows up? If you find any good job descriptions, put them in your google notebook for later reference. Read the job description then close you’re eyes. Do you see yourself doing this job? Does it seem real? There’s no use in pursuing something you don’t feel confident about because that’s a recipe for failure.

Places to find good descriptions of technical jobs:

• Monster.com
• Careerbuilder.com
• Salary.com
• Google Search with your State’s name and computer terms
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Computer and Support Specialist

Step #3 Resume

You need a brief, effective resume. It should reflect your experience, be tailored to the job you’re applying for and be easy on the eyes. Keep your fonts simple, use an example outline from What Color Is Your Parachute and triple check your spelling/grammar.

Step #4 Select

Google notebook is a great way to keep track of jobs you’re looking to apply for. I sure wish they had it 10 years ago. Each week, select 3 posted opportunities. If you’re looking for something shorter term, select 3 technical recruiting firms (Teksystems, Prostaff, Robert Half). Google the company and collect as much contact information as you can. You’re trying to find information for “the person who has the power to hire you” or the HR staff who will buffer applicants.

Step #5 Cover Letter

Prepare a brief cover letter of less than 3 paragraphs.

It should convey the following:

• I’m interested in the position
• I’m good at what I do
• I want an interview

Step #6 Submit

This is where you will separate yourself from the herd. This is the most important step. Check your resume one more time for errors.

You need to send you’re resume 2 ways:

1. Email – Email body can double as your cover letter, create a unique subject line
2. Fax – More likely to get noticed, less competition, higher visibility

Step #7 Ask

Okay, I lied. Number #6 isn’t the most important step. This one is! 3 days after you submit your resume, you must call “the person who has the power to hire you”.

Now here’s how the conversation will go to get that interview:

You: Hello, this is <insert your name> and I’m calling to confirm you received my resume.

Mr. HR/Future Boss: Oh, hello <your name>. I’m not sure, let me check…Ah, yes we did

You: That’s great! I know I would be a great fit for the company and would like to setup an interview

Mr. HR/Future Boss: Oh, we have a formal process (blah, blah, blah)

You: I understand. If selected, could I expect a call back by next week?

Mr. HR/Future Boss: I would say so.

You: Thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you Mr. HR/Future Boss

Mr. HR/Future Boss: You’re welcome <insert your name>

This is the average result based on someone who’s never done this before. Once you do it a few times, it’s amazing how many interviews you will start landing from this single phone call.

There could be a few variations here including they’ve already selected a candidate. This indicates you applied too late for the job or they are trying to get you off the phone. If you really, really, really wanted the job, a great thing to do is to ask to setup an informational interview. This would occur on the 4th line where Mr. HR/Future Boss would say the job has been filled. This should only be asked to Future Boss or directed to an existing employee at a later time. You would say, “I understand. I would like to ask for an informational interview. It would take 15 minutes of your time (Future Boss) and I would appreciate the feedback as to what skills I need to be considered for an opportunity like this in the future”

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

I will be posting more techie employment how-to’s. Let me know if there is a sticky situation you often find yourself in regarding interviews, salary negotiation, etc.