To whom do you address a cover letter when you are applying for a job — someone in HR or the hiring manager? And how do you find that person’s name, or can you use “To whom it may concern”?
When you come home from work, how do you react to mail addressed to “Resident” as opposed to your name? Of course, employers would prefer not to broadcast names — they don’t necessarily want individuals bombarded with resumes and applications directly. Employers drive most applicants through a specific process.
Here’s the little secret: Most employers like to hire people who come from a referral rather than sort through thousands of unknowns. It doesn’t take much sleuthing to find names of executives running different departments. Try to find someone in your network who is connected to someone at the company, and see if you can get a referral. If that doesn’t work, take names and send letters to each person directly, making a strong case in a few paragraphs why you’re an ideal match.
A prospective employer told me I was interviewing for a full-time sales position. They then offered me a job on a commission basis, saying if I do well they will convert it to a staff position. I think they just want my sales leads and contacts and will let me go. Is that ethical?
It’s sales firms like these that give used car salesmen a bad rap . . . (well, maybe some used car salesmen contribute to the rap!). Just because an employer offered you a role different from what you originally interviewed for doesn’t make it unethical or unprofessional — and it doesn’t mean they are planning to let you go. Some sales organizations have very high turnover, so it’s not uncommon to do a try-before-you-buy arrangement before completely committing. You could take a shot without revealing all of your contacts, and demonstrate you are a keeper, or you can decline the offer and tell them you are only interested in a staff position. I wouldn’t assume the worst — unless they are also trying to sell you a used Ford Pinto.