ANSWERING ADS

There are three different type Ads that you will see posted on the Net or in newspapers. Those three Ads are:

1. The company gives their name
2. A box number ie., Wall Street Journal Box 123 [view this article]
3. Chicago Box 123 zip code 23434 [view this article]

We're going to talk about answering an Ad where the company gives their name (newspaper or Web). In responding to this type of Ad we want to research the company first. Check out their Web page or use a simple directory like the Harris Industrial Directory, it's in all the libraries and also on-line along with thousands of other directories. Web pages and directories will tell you a great deal about the companies you're researching. A directory like the Harris will tell you all about the company but most importantly it will tell you when the company was established, their size and the products they manufacture. It will also give you all the names of the managers in the company along with their titles.

Armed with this type of info, this is how you respond to the Ad:

Dear Mr/Ms Jones,

In researching your company I understand that you're a long established, mid size firm that manufacture xyz products and that prompted me to write to you. (The directory gives you all this info).

Your 2nd paragraph is a short summary of your experience, trying to relate it to their product or industry.

Your 3rd paragraph simply state that you will call them in a few days to make sure they received your paperwork.

You'll notice that we didn't mention the Ad. Don't mention the Ad.Treat it just like you would if you were targeting a company and didn't know if they had an opening. Enclose your resume and be sure to follow up with a phone call.