The Inside Job

How to Get Hired By "Double-Hitting"

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February 20, 2009 RSS Feed Print
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I've never heard the phrase "double-hitting" before, but I know it gets people hired. Fire off your resume and cover letter via E-mail, and it's easy to be skipped over. Following up with a paper copy of your resume and cover letter is a way of showing a healthy interest in the job.

From the NYTimes:

Attach a handwritten note that says, “Second submission; I’m very interested,” Ms. Piotrowski said. “I’ve had clients double their rate of interviews simply from doing that,” she said.

Ms. Enelow calls this “double-hitting,” and says she has seen it work remarkably well.

I know someone who got hired by walking into an office with a hard copy of her resume after she'd E-mailed one first. (She also dressed professionally for the occasion, and researched the company thoroughly.)

One expert reported in the NYT story that "a senior-level client of hers got an interview and was hired because the hard copy of his cover letter and résumé reached the company president, whereas his electronic application was rejected by someone in human resources because it did not meet certain rigid criteria."

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We have to keep in mind, especially now with so many looking for work,the HR person is overwhelmed with applicants and as so often occurs blinded by numbers. I was told the people who personally show up and drop a resume with the receptionist have had their first interview...with the receptionist! That's correct, the first question the HR person will ask the receptionsit or whoever took the resume is for their thoughts. Where they polite, clean, courteous?

Often the resume is actually read at the same time the receptionist is with HR. This was the case at my last job, the receptionist and I had such a nice converstion she actually asked me to wait while she handed my resume to the HR manager who then came out to the lobby, asked me a couple questions and thanked me for coming in.

I later found out she then personally walked my resume to my future supervisor's office 2 weeks and 3 interviews later I was offered a newly created position.

Bill Kay of OH 9:31AM February 24, 2009

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for your questions. I think that you're raising the very issue that following up is intended to address. You asked: "How do you communicate that drive and desire to succeed? It just seems like nothing sounds sincere and meaningful and different than what every other applicant says."

Words are easy, actions are difficult. He has to prove--rather than merely say--that he's driven and desires to succeed. Every bullet point on his resume should be proof of those qualities--with numbers that quantify his successes and achievements. His job search itself also has to prove those qualities--his job search has to look like the job search of someone who is driven and desires to succeed. So, he should be following up with paper copies after E-mailing. In certain cases, he should drop by the office (although he may not be able to meet with the hiring manager, his persistence will likely be noted). He should also be finding connections at the companies he's interested in and thoughtfully pursuing contacts.

Good luck to him. He sounds like he has your support, which is a great start.

Liz Wolgemuth of DC 11:17AM February 23, 2009

All good salesmen/women know one thing. Their customer's first response is always no. You have to hit again. My own response to cold calls is always no. If those phone salespersons only knew that if they were to call me right back and ask the simple question: How come? Or, How come you hung up on me? They would make a direct connection to me and I would have to respond with something other than no. I would have to explain why. Now the salesperson's real job begins.

Vince Johnson of CA 12:24PM February 22, 2009

The Inside Job

You're taking a break from your job-hunting and job-hopping ways and have decided to stay put in your current position. Liz Wolgemuth’s careers blog will show you how to make the very best of your job, each day.

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