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Reread the paragraph before the one you reference: "Vary your message. Sometimes ask advice. Sometimes give advice. But always make it clear how much you want to work there."

Reread two paragraphs previous to that: "Ideally, you could be more specific, telling them ways you could improve one of their projects, services, or products."

In other words, don't be a stalker, but do be persistent, helpful, and interesting.



Reread the paragraph before the one you reference: "Vary your message"

Don't matter. Still annoying if you are doing it every week.

In other words, don't be a stalker, but do be persistent, helpful, and interesting.

Most people overrate their ability to be interesting or helpful, and "persistent" is just too annoying. And cold-calling multiple times is so beyond rude, I can't even begin to grasp why anyone would advise it.

The idea that I would not have an open job call just because some dude has been pestering us every week for the last year... I find this baffling.

Perhaps things are different in SV.

Edit: I just remembered where I'd found this better phrased:

http://www.cluewagon.com/2009/09/calling-to-follow-up-hand-m...

Quote: "It’s not about being the most attention-seeking candidate. It’s about being the most qualified candidate. If it’s not, you’re applying to the wrong company."


Even better quote:

dude, what did you expect? You specifically target companies who respond to the flashy one, not the talented one. If you try to side-step meritocracies, you can’t complain when you end up working someplace with no meritocracy.




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