Most job seekers simply submit their resume through the company’s online application system. That’s fine as far as it goes . . . which might not be very far, since recruiters often receive hundreds of applications. In this post I’ll tell you some great ways to get through to the decision-maker.
Send Your Resume Directly to the Hiring Manager
Let’s say you want to apply to a posted position at XYZ Media. Go ahead and apply through the company’s application system as directed, but also consider sending a brief email to the hiring manager introducing yourself and mentioning that you’ve applied. Attach your resume. You might even make a polite follow-up phone call if the posting doesn’t specifically discourage contact.
The tricky part is that the posting usually doesn’t list the hiring manager’s name. How can you find them?
How to Find the Hiring Manager
Here are several strategies you can try.
- Call the company’s main number. If you get a live person on the line, ask in a polite but confident tone, “Can you please tell me the name of the person in charge of ________?” (Fill in the blank with the department you would be working in.) If you get a voicemail system, try another strategy.
- Ask an AI such as ChatGPT or Claude. It can often help you identify the most likely hiring manager based on the job posting, department, and location. Then verify the information on LinkedIn or the company’s website before reaching out.
- To find a phone number, try “accidentally” calling the wrong person or department. Apologize, ask for the correct number, and go from there.
- Search the web. Try searches such as site.com “XYZ Media” “Vice President of Sales”or “site.com marketing director”.
- Search LinkedIn for people with the likely job title at the company.
- Search the company’s website. Look for pages such as “Leadership,” “Our Team,” or “About Us.”
- Ask people. You may have LinkedIn connections or other contacts who know the manager’s name—or someone who works with them.
- Search online business directories such as Standard & Poor’s (S&P) or Manta. Directories can be somewhat out of date, so whatever information you find, try to verify it elsewhere.
- If you can’t identify the hiring manager, try identifying the recruiter assigned to the role.
- Last but DEFINITELY NOT LEAST: On LinkedIn, work on making new connections at your target company. Look for employees whose work is related to the position you’re interested in, especially people with whom you have something in common, such as an alma mater, a professional association, or a shared interest. Refer to that in your invitation message. Once connected, engage thoughtfully with their posts when appropriate, then ask if they’d be willing to answer a couple of brief questions about the team or hiring process.
Extra Bonus Tip:
If you’ve found a name but you’re not completely sure it’s the right person, it’s usually still worth sending a brief, courteous message. If you’ve contacted someone adjacent to the hiring team, there’s a good chance they’ll either forward your resume or point you to the right person!
And that’s how to get your resume in front of the hiring manager. Now, if you really want to stand out, see my infographic on how to follow up with a phone call.
This post has been updated in 2026.
