From avoiding availability questions to asking for an informational interview, here are 11 answers to the question, “What are some good ways to ask if someone is hiring?”
- Ask About the Job, Not Its Availability
- Check their LinkedIn Page First
- Mention Some Key Points About the Company
- Choose a Slower Time to Ask
- Network Your Way Into the Company
- Visit Career Pages to Look for Job Openings
- Email the Company’s HR Department
- Be Curious About Their Needs
- Inquire for Employment Information
- Don’t Call, Take Initiative
- Request An Informational Interview
Ask About the Job, Not Its Availability
One good way to ask if someone is hiring is to inquire about the job itself rather than its availability. For example, you might say something like, “I’m interested in working at your company. Could you tell me more about the job opening?”
This shows that you’re genuinely interested in the position and are not just looking for any old job. Asking about the job also shows that you’re knowledgeable about what the company does and are familiar with its work. This can make you seem like a more desirable candidate for the position.
Finally, asking about the job will give you more information to decide if it’s the right fit for you. So, if you’re looking to ask someone if they’re hiring, inquiring about the job itself is a good way to go about it.
Antreas Koutis, Administrative Manager, Financer
Check Their LinkedIn Page First
Every business owner and HR team out there knows that the “hiring” frame on LinkedIn is among their best tools in talent acquisition. This means that one good way to check someone’s hiring status is to check their LinkedIn page and then ease into a conversation and enquire further.
This approach is non-invasive and indirect and gives you a fair idea of their recruiting stance before you dig deeper. Getting in touch via LinkedIn also counts as a professional yet prudent move.
Moreover, after grabbing all the necessary details via a company’s LinkedIn page, you’ll only be left with relevant questions that tell the employer that you’ve already done your homework.
Riley Beam, Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
Mention Some Key Points About the Company
Essentially, you want to make a good impression by offering insight into the company. Do some research, know some names, and offer positive feedback.
Then, politely mention something you believe the company could improve upon. Make sure this is an issue you could directly solve.
Finally, casually mention that you’d make yourself available and explain how you could solve that particular problem. If necessary, ask who is the best person to get in touch with and get their contact.
Simon Bacher, CEO & Co-Founder, Ling App
Choose a Slower Time to Ask
Before you launch into your question, look at the environment. Does the manager seem busy? Do they have the time to discuss non-essentials? If they look very busy, you’re best to wait until a better time.
Mention that you’d like to discuss job opportunities, but you’re happy to return when the time would better suit them. If you don’t wait and attempt to push the conversation anyway, you’ll likely be turned away and potentially alienate your chances of getting hired.
If you’re asking via email, the same rules apply. Explain you’re interested in a role and that you would love to discuss it further at their convenience. Offer a call, email, or in-person meeting (where applicable)—whichever works best for them.
Whether you’re asking via email or in person, always finish with, “Thank you for your time.” These little gestures showcase one substantial reason to hire you—consideration for others.
Brian Dechesare, CEO, Breaking Into Wall Street
Network Your Way Into the Company
Networking is job-landing gold. When someone is in job search mode, they should have a list of 10-20 companies that are on their target list. Building a network with people within the company should be one of the primary goals.
Networking doesn’t mean “asking for a job.” The goal is to build a relationship/friendship. This can start via LinkedIn or through another colleague and should be fairly informal.
Once you have some type of friendship, then that’s a great time to ask if there would be a good position for you within that company and if there is someone else in the company that would be good to meet.
Jessica Pierce, CEO, Career Connectors
Visit Career Pages to Look for Job Openings
Career pages often have advertisements about open positions, so it is worth visiting them first. If you don’t see available jobs that match your credentials, use the chat feature on a company’s career page to talk to their recruitment team. This will be the fastest way to ask for possible job vacancies or anything related to their hiring process.
When chatting with a career page representative, keep the tone of your message formal and respectful. Be direct with your questions and make prompt responses for productive conversation. After getting the answer, ask for the company’s best contact details for future reference and thank them for replying to your inquiries.
Sam Tabak, Board Member, RMBH Charities
Email the Company’s HR Department
The most common and best way to ask if a business is hiring is through email. The message should go to the HR department or a specific recruiter. Don’t send such an inquiry to the company’s general email address or the secretary’s office, as it may be lost. Directly contacting those responsible for recruitment will guarantee accurate answers.
However, the question about employment is only one of many things that should be included in the email. Its content should be treated as a brief cover letter where you describe your achievements and skills.
Include a resume, a full-length cover letter, and indicate which positions you’re interested in. Describe why you are a valuable employee and how you can contribute to the company’s development.
If you do not receive a response, feel free to follow up on your previous message.
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Live Career
Be Curious About Their Needs
Rather than starting a conversation with, “Do you happen to be hiring” adopt a softer, more authentic approach.
Start with a conversation. Ask what’s going on at work, and then listen. You may hear the person say things like, “Work is great. I really like my company.” In that case, start asking your own questions about why they like it so much. Then, mention that you’re looking for a new job and working at their company seems like it could be a good fit. Ask if they are hiring or know anyone in the company who is. Bonus, don’t be afraid to request an introduction.
If the conversation leans more toward the negative things about their job, see if you can find specific areas where you could help. Then, say something like, “That’s actually an area of expertise for me. Do you know if your company is hiring in that department? I’d love to see if I can help.”
Either way, organic conversations will make the ask more natural and less forced.
Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed
Inquire for Employment Information
Instead of asking about a position, I think it’s better to start by asking for employment information or a contact who has a vacant position that fits your background.
Showing interest in the firm and the role is considerably more successful than simply asking someone to “put in a good word” for you. They will be more willing to help you if you make a proper introduction and open a conversation.
Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting
Don’t Call, Take Initiative
I have worked as a manager and a store owner before and below is the advice I can give.
Put on clean clothes, go to the job site, and ask for someone in charge. Introduce yourself and request a job application. Fill out the form and return it. Wait 24 hours before making a phone call.
Do not scurry to a corner and plop yourself down to fill out the form unless it has a table and chairs and is mostly empty.
If you must call, make sure you have already sent your information to the manager or Human Resource department via email or mail earlier in the week.
Do not make a cold call. It conveys the message that you are not serious and you are sitting at home looking for work at random. You demonstrate initiative by walking in and speaking with someone.
Jennie Miller, Co-Founder, MIDSS
Request an Informational Interview
Not every company includes informational interviews in their recruitment process, but should you request one. They’d have no reason not to invite you for one.
After all, this also gives the hiring team an opportunity to gain insight into your potential so they can lock on to you as a viable candidate for future or even current vacancies. This move also reflects initiative on your part, and HR teams love candidates who take the first step and make the correct inquiries through the proper channels.
An informational interview is also a great idea because it enables both parties to gain a fair understanding of each other’s strengths and needs without worrying about committing.
Brendan McGreevy, Head of Strategy, Affinda
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