Dear Ellen,
There’s a company I want to work for — it’s literally my dream company in every single possible way — but I have no idea how to get my foot in the door.
Other than the obvious moves, like applying for jobs that they post on their website, what can I do to get hired?
Really Really Really Want To Get Hired
Dear RRRWTGH,
About 15 years ago, I celebrated a major career milestone:
The grand opening of MEarth: a native plant habitat and community garden that I had co-founded and nurtured.
It’s a place where kids and grown-ups could learn how to grow nourishing food, care for the planet, eat well and live well. A HUGE personal dream of mine — finally realized!
My team and I were planning a big party to celebrate the grand opening — a day-long extravaganza to honor our donors and share our vision with the local community.
This party was a BIG deal. And there was just ONE woman I wanted to be there, onstage, speaking to everyone in the room: one of the most famous and sought-after environmental leaders and chefs in the world, Alice Waters.
I knew she’d be tricky to reach, but I simply had to try.
I started by emailing her assistant.
“Would Alice be willing to speak at my event, later this year?”
“She’s insanely busy. Sorry, but no.”
I felt a little deflated — but I didn’t give up.
“Could I circle back to you in a few months, and see if her schedule has opened up?”
“Sure, but don’t hold your breath. Her calendar is just crazy.”
Over the next several months, I slowly and gently built a relationship with Alice’s assistant.
I’d check in periodically, leave a voicemail or two, joke around with him, and offer praise and encouragement for the work he was doing.
I got to know him as a human being.
And one day, he finally gave me the “IN” I’d been waiting for.
“You know,” he said. “If you really want to capture Alice’s heart, send her something in the mail. She loves beautiful things. I can’t promise she’ll come to your event, but whatever you send — I’ll make sure she sees it.”
My heart leapt with hope — and I leapt at the opportunity.
Following his lead, I quickly put together a beautiful packet all about MEarth with photos of the garden, the kids we serve, the crops we grow, the food we made.
I personally thanked Alice in my hand-written letter — praising her as the lead inspiration behind the whole project.
I told her about the upcoming party, and how we were dying to feature her as our keynote speaker.
And I tied the whole thing up with a beautiful bow (literally).
I popped the parcel into the mail, along with a personal ‘thank you’ note for her assistant, as well.
I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And one day, she called.
Her answer?
“YES.”
Seeing my personal hero take the stage was a peak experience for me — one that I’ll never forget.
Best of all, it revealed three timeless “career lessons” that I’ve carried with me ever since.
If you want to get your foot in the door, get someone to say YES to your request, or unlock a door that seems like it just won’t budge…
1. Be persistent. But be patient.
I didn’t give up after the first “no” — or the second, or the third.
Sometimes, it takes time to get what you want. Don’t get deflated too quickly.
If you are absolutely certain that this is your dream company and you belong there, keep knocking on that door. One day — one way or another — it will open.
2. Befriend the gatekeepers.
I didn’t try to pitch Alice directly. I started by connecting with her “gatekeeper” — her assistant.
I treated him like a human being, not just a faceless entity on the other side of a computer screen. Over time, we forged a genuine friendship.
Whether you are trying to get hired at your dream company or trying to woo a celeb to speak at your event… it’s all about who you know.
Maybe you could begin a friendship with somebody who works at your dream company, RRRWTGH. Someone who could give you the inside scoop on what kinds of positions might be opening up soon, tell you more about the company culture, or even put in a good word for you with their boss. It couldn’t hurt!
3. Go above-and-beyond.
When Alice’s assistant revealed a little “secret” — that Alice loved beautiful things, especially parcels sent in the mail — I paid attention. My snail-mail parcel was visually striking and very “special.” Ultimately, that’s what caught her attention.
Busy people — whether they’re investors, influential writers, or hiring managers who are responsible for fielding hundreds of job applications — get dozens of dull, un-original emails and pitches every day.
When you’re submitting your job application materials, go above-and-beyond the norm. Make a video. Create a comic strip panel. Include impressive testimonials. Tell a powerful story. Show your humanity and uniqueness.
A little originality can go a long way.
You’re clearly passionate, resourceful and self-motivated, RRRWTGH, so I know you’ve got what it takes to get your foot in the door at this company — or any company you choose.
Do me a favor: write to me when you land your dream job.
I’ve got a feeling it might happen a lot sooner than you think…
Find great work. Do great work. Unlock every door in your way.
Image: Willie Franklin