3 Sample Scripts You Can Use While Navigating Your Job Search

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GUEST BLOGGER

Kimberly Schneiderman, NCRW, CLTMC, CEIC
Owner, City Career Services

As a career coach, clients often say to me “Hold on, I want to write down what you just said.” Or “Your wording is perfect; I wish I could remember it when I am in an interview.” Whenever this happens, I am honored to have gained the trust and confidence of my clients. And, like most situations, things can be a bit clearer from the outside.

With that mind, let’s review some sample scripts you can use (pulled from real situations) as you navigate your own job search and networking pursuits:

  • Self-Marketing Message: Next time someone asks you “So, what do you do?” take advantage of the opportunity to answer in a way that communicates what you want to be doing. Try answering using a combination of present-day information, while also mentioning your goal. If you are in an aggressive job search, it might sound something like this: ”I am a fraud analyst with a specialty in credit card payments for large retailers and anchor stores. Right now I am at Nordstrom, and am seeking a new position, ideally for a global retail organization.”
  •  LinkedIn Networking: Perhaps there is a position at Bank of America listed on LinkedIn and you want to connect with a real person about that job, but you only have 2nd-degree connections to people there. Go ahead and contact the shared 1st-degree connections with this: “Hi Jeff, great seeing you at the ACFE conference last month. Right now, I’m hoping you can help me with something. There is an open fraud examiner position at Bank of America; I see that you know John Doe at the company. Would you be willing to introduce me to John so I can ask him a couple questions about the job?” Once Jeff makes the introduction, you can talk with John about your background and see what he knows about the open position. Ultimately, if things go smoothly, you might ask John for an introduction to the hiring manager for that position.
  • How to Yes, but No. But, more importantly Yes!: Perhaps a recruiter has approached you about an open training position that intrigues you, but your skill set isn’t a 100 percent match. Try this: “I welcome the opportunity to speak with the organization about their training program needs. My experience is not a direct match for their entire needs list, so perhaps they may want to talk with me about how my niche experience could fit some of their needs.” From there, give a synopsis of that niche experience. No matter what, there is almost always a way to tie the experience you do have with at least part of the company’s needs.

Try these ideas in your search and let me know how they turn out at the Career Connection at this year’s ACFE Global Fraud Conference!