Those "Hard-to-Get-Into" Companies

Is there a company or organization where you’ve always wanted to work? If you know of someone who works there, ask that person if they have any tips or hints for getting your foot in the door. Maybe there is a certain person you need to speak to. Maybe there is some other strategy which would prove effective. If you don’t know someone who works at the company, ask other people if they know of anyone.

Here’s an example of how asking other people works. A few years ago when I was meeting with a client, she told me that she really wanted to work for “X Organization,” but when she applied, was told they were not hiring for the particular position for which she was interested. I told my client that one of my friends works for this organization, so I contacted my friend. She suggested my client apply for a clerical position, because in that particular organization, it was very easy to move out of clerical positions and into higher positions. While this is not the case for every organization (easily advancing out of clerical positions), this proved to be a helpful strategy for my client.

So if you want to work for a particular company, keep asking. Persistence pays off!