Make a Craigslist Job Search More Effective
Last night, I posted an ad on Craigslist to find photographers and videographers to infuse some creativity into WhatCollegeForgot.com. In just twenty-four hours, I’ve already received over fifty responses. You have a lot of competition out there if you’re searching Craigslist for job opportunities, but the good news is, there are some ways you can make your email “cover letter” stand out:
Be memorable
This doesn’t mean you should do something wacky to get noticed. Instead, be memorable by creating some kind of rapport with potential employers. Mention that you checked out their website and blog and liked what you saw, or jot down a few additional ideas that came to mind based on the job posting. Employers appreciate it when applicants go the extra mile and try to make a relevant and insightful first impression. I had one applicant respond by cutting and pasting a message that began: “Standard reply for a Craigslist posting:…” You won’t get any points for generic responses like this.
Explain why you’re a good fit
Clearly state why your experience makes you a good candidate for the role. Describe in two or three sentences why an employer should consider you further. If potential employers have to open your resume or click on a link to your blog to find out what you even do, they’re probably just going to delete your email. For example, several people weren’t telling me if they were interested in photography or videography.
Include the right supporting materials
Attach your resume and some examples of your work that support your “cover letter” email. But don’t attach an exhaustive portfolio – employers don’t have time to wade through everything. Think critically about which articles, photographs, reports, recommendations, or any other supporting materials best present your case for the specific job you’re applying for. This is a good way to prove to an employer that you’re connecting their requirements with your previous work experience.
Proofread what you write
Does it make sense? Are there relatively few spelling and grammar errors? I’ll overlook one or two errors, but many more than that make me question the candidate’s ability to do any job well. It takes two extra minutes – just do it!
Offer to follow up
Employers receive many responses to one Craigslist post. Just because they love your email doesn’t mean they’ll remember to contact you. Your email may get lost in the shuffle, so it’s best to offer to follow up in three to five days. Hopefully the employer will contact you, but this gives you a second chance to prove your interest in the job. Only one person out of fifty offered to do this, which I found both commendable and memorable. This person immediately passed the “delete vs keep for further review” test.
One final tip – try to apply to Craigslist opportunities as soon as possible after they’re posted. Because so many others are applying, an employer might hire someone before you even send an email. The following question, which I received after my post had only been up for twelve hours, sums it up: “Are you still looking for photographers?”
Sign up to receive RSS alerts for new opportunities that are posted within your favorite job categories. It’s kind of hard to find the RSS icon – scroll to the bottom of the posts within your desired category and click on the orange “RSS” button.
