Reaching out to team members during job app process
Curious to hear how folks here approach reaching out to people on the team when applying for a CRE role.
Specifically: • Do you reach out before or after applying? • Is it better to connect with HR/recruiting or investment/asset management professionals directly? • What’s your go-to message format (short intro, resume attached, asking for a call, etc.)? • Any tips on how to actually get a response?
I’ve heard mixed advice—some say don’t bother unless you have a warm intro, others say it can make all the difference. Would love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you all.
• Do you reach out before or after applying?
Before. Once you're in the hiring process, it's a bit weird to continue to hit people up. Most would simply refer you to the process or decision makers. There are usually only 2-3 people worth contacting anyhow - HR/Recruitment, the CEO/President, and the head of your department.
• Is it better to connect with HR/recruiting or investment/asset management professionals directly?
It's always better to connect with decision makers directly, but if you're in a formal recruiting process, don't sleep on becoming friendly with the HR/recruiting person. People go to bat for people who are nice to and value them.
• What’s your go-to message format (short intro, resume attached, asking for a call, etc.)?
Email with a short intro, stated interest, and resume attached. Asking for a call is up to you. It always felt strange to me, since the call would primarily be me stating I want to be hired. The person I'd be talking to already knows this.
• Any tips on how to actually get a response?
Depends on what you mean by a response. I almost always got an email back thanking me for reaching out and saying something like they'd take a look or they'd forward me to whomever. Now actually turning that into an interview or an offer is something else entirely. In my experience, networking and being proactive will 100% get you from the slush pile and into the conversation, but once you're there, your odds are no better than anyone else who got past the gatekeepers for one reason or another.
This is spot on. Reach out before (they may get a referral fee), warm leads are better but cold won't hurt. Don't ask for a call. Keep it short.
I wanted to add as well - from my experience, a warm intro is a necessary to either get in the interview process, or move further along in an interview process.
I wanted to add as well - from my experience, a warm intro is a necessary to either get in the interview process, or move further along in an interview process. Personally, I always write off roles where I'm going in "cold" (or going in without a warm intro) so to speak, but that's what I've been through.
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