It’s been a little while since I wrote on the importance of applying for work or pitching for business. I find when I look back over these pieces, they serve as a useful reminder to me and are helpful to others.
A few weeks ago, I delivered a presentation in a training session that included some examples of where I did ‘win’ opportunities and where I did not in 2023. Here’s what I learned:
Network, Research, Follow-up
I don’t have the latest statistics on the % of opportunities that come via networks however as we get older, we’re more likely to land our next role/contract through our connections than through a direct application.
I was introduced to an organisation two years ago. I knew then that I wanted to get more involved but it really wasn’t the right time for me and they had also taken a hit during the pandemic.
In the first half of 2023, I started to see roles with this organisation that piqued my interest. For the first one, I was a little late to the party. During the summer, I made a point of going to a couple of their events. I then applied for (and was interviewed for) a full time role which I didn’t get, however things were left amicable and a request for my details to be kept on file came as part of the feedback. I also connected with one of the senior leadership team via Linkedin.
Freelance opportunities were released – I applied, was interviewed and have happily been fitting this in my portfolio for a few months.
A short term contract/project role was subsequently also released by the same organisation. It was a well-written brief and caught my attention.
Let’s go back to that initial interview for the full time role where I was not offered the post and recap what happened afterward:
1. I followed up after the interview 2. Although I was pipped to the post by other candidates, the feedback was positive and door left open for the future (this reminds me of how I started my career in recruitment) 3. I connected with one of the panel on Linkedin
As a result of number 3, it made it easier for me to reach out and ask for an informal chat about the consultancy project BEFORE I put in my pitch. I was offered this contract and at the time of writing this, about to complete on it.
Have you a similar story to share? Do you solicit feedback after the event? In cases where it is offered, do you listen? More on this final point soon.
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