Strategies on Creating a Soft Landing for your Resume

Joanne Lynch, Network Now's Director of Program Development, wrote the following guidelines for those seeking full time professional employment:

The key to creating a "soft landing" for your resume is to develop and cultivate relationships on an ongoing basis. As you increase your relationships, you increase the number of soft landings (and connections to soft landings) that will be available to you.

Networking:
*In Person/Face to Face - Network, network, network. Ask people to make introductions for you. You will do it for them someday.
*Social Networking - LinkedIn/facebook. Research people within targeted companies and industries. Request introductions to 2nd and 3rd level contacts.

Exploratory Interviews - target organizations you want to develop relationships with.
*People genuinely want to help.
*Don't take too much of their time.
*Offer assistance to them - it is a two way street. If there is something you can offer, offer it.
*Stay in touch.

Connect the Dots Approach - Find commonalities and reach out to potential contacts based on them.
*Become an active member of community & volunteer groups
*Join other interest groups
*Blogs/Articles/Twitter - reach out to the authors based on the information shared.

Pick up the Phone & Call -
*Get contact informatiom of hiring manager or HR person but know what you are going to say if they pick up the phone.
*Ask questions like:
-I am a very strong candidate for this position. Is the position still open?
-Can I send my resume directly to you?
-What is the screening process and how do you recommend I follow up? Always ask permission.

Applying through the "black hole" application process
*Research websites of targeted organizations you would like to work for. Find out who is the hiring manager.
*Get their email address, which is often listed on the website or ask the receptionist to give it to you. It is all in the way you ask.
*Send an email directly to them. Explain that you have applied through the formal process however you wanted to share with them the specific value you can bring to their organization. Ask them to share your cover letter and resume with others who are involved in the selection process.

If you got the interview, but not the job (or not the job YET)
*If you developed a good relationship, stay in touch. Ask permission to stay in touch. Build a relationship that can open the door to a future opportunity or business venture. You never know.
*Don't take it personally. Something else may come along and you will be in a better position to take advantage of it.
*Send them information of interest. Check in on a project.
*Stay in touch periodically but not to pester about the status of the job. Provide value. Provide information of interest.