Q: I have received yet another letter from an employer telling me I have missed out on a job with his business. It's frustrating collecting letters and not getting a job I really want. I keep running second. What can I do to change things?
A: Many people reading this will be saying they don't even receive a letter when they miss out on a job.
Unfortunately, competition will always lead to someone missing out but the fact you are finishing second means you must be close to securing one of those jobs.
So here is a suggestion: when you get a letter from an employer, don't throw it in the bin or add it to a folder full of letters.
Take advantage of it
Immediately — and every time from this moment onwards — when you receive one of those letters, reply to the employer with a brief handwritten note to thank them for their courtesy in writing to you. Also, tell them you are not about to give up and ask if they would keep you in mind in the future, should circumstances change.
Use your own words, make it brief and it has to be an immediate response. The day you receive the knock-back is the day you should respond to it.
Why bother?
Well, how many other people would send a note like that? Not many. You will set yourself apart from everyone else.
Believe me, this approach works. The best job will often come later from one of the companies that initially didn't offer you a position. The person they selected might decide to accept another offer in a few days' or weeks' time and the job you applied for might be up for grabs again.
The employer might find the person selected doesn't suit the job, or the role might grow and need someone else.
The employer is then faced with readvertising, more preselection, more interviews and still the uncertainty of knowing just how keen a new employee will be.
Or the employer can respond to a person who showed character and keenness to write a note that said: "I'm disappointed I missed the job, I would love to work for your business and please keep me in mind if anything changes, because I'm not going to quit."
I know a person who, having sent a knock-back response note after an unsuccessful job application, received a call from the employer who had kept his note on file for 18 months.
He has now been working in a great job with that employer for the past 12 years.
Email your questions to doctorwork@mycareer.com.au. Not all emails can be answered personally.
For more Dr Work advice, see mycareer.com.au/advice.
