Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager
QUESTION:
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the help that your book has offered me. I did not know where to start, but when I read your book, it gave me a plan of action. I have just started my job search and everything is going perfect.
But I have one small question? I found a company that is hiring civil engineers in Denver thru the Online Career Center web site that you mentioned in your book, and I was wondering if I should contact them by phone or e-mail first? And if I write them an e-mail, should I give a small summary of my qualifications or just ask to meet with the person in charge of hiring?
If you could answer this question I would be very grateful. One more thing, I guess it does not hurt to ask, but do you know of any companies hiring entry level civil engineers in Colorado. Again, I would appreciate it very much.
Thanks for your time.
From: Raul Rivera, Civil Engineer graduate from
the University of Florida
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Raul -
Glad to hear you are profiting from the book. Your question is an excellent one.
Always, always, always favor phone over E-mail. Phone is active. E-mail (and other mail) is passive. It's far too easy for them to file away. Remember, when you take the passive route, you are requiring the employer to take the next step. You want to remain in control of the next step as much as you possibly can.
When you make contact (by phone), your objective should always be to take the process to the next level. If they request a resume, THEN you can offer to send by E-mail. It has almost the same instantaneous response as fax, which allows you to then name the time and date (typically early the following day) when you will be contacting them again. Also, be sure to ask if they use a particular word processing package (such as Word or WordPerfect), then save your resume in that format and send as an attached file. They'll print out a perfect laser copy on their end in no time. Isn't technology wonderful? And it's your way of showing them in a practical way that you are well-versed in the latest and greatest. If they're not sure how to receive the document, walk them through the process. More phone time=greater probability of success. Stay with them through each step of the process and never ever give up.
Civil engineers in Colorado? Army Corps of Engineers? State Department of Transportation? Loveland Pass Dynamiters Association? Seriously, the best source for you would be the old reliable: Yellow Pages--typically under Engineers-Civil. Not very scientific, but very thorough. The difficulty is that it will often miss governmental and larger corporations that have civil engineering positions within (but are not classified as civil engineering companies). Also, the size of a Yellow Pages ad (or lack thereof) is not always a perfect indicator of company size. But it does give you a first level contact directly in your chosen field.
Look into professional associations in the area, ideally with a chapter in Denver or other major CO cities.
Make your own good luck!
Author of College Grad Job Hunter
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All job search information at this site is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission from the author.
