How To Get The Job You Really
Really Want - Where To Find Jobs - Networking
Networking is another very efficient way to go
about your job search. So, what is it? Simply put, it is using
current contacts to generate potential job leads for you. There are
literally thousands of jobs that are never advertised, and it
is this market that networking helps you plug into. By networking,
you use the personal contacts you have, to get job leads. We
ought to qualify personal contacts in the job search context. They
would be any person that can do any of the following for you.
-
Offer you a job directly
-
Give you information
regarding a current vacancy
-
Refer you to someone who
can offer you a job
-
Refer you to someone who
can either get your CV read or offer you an interview
-
Give you a name (and
maybe a recommendation to) someone who can make decisions of
this nature
-
Give you the name of
someone who knows the name of someone who is looking to hire
someone like YOU!
Interesting, I hear you say, but I don't know
anyone. Hey, EVERYBODY has people like this that they know.
All you have to do is ask the right questions. If you're out
of work, it's easy.
"Hey, John, you know I'm looking for a job right now,
do you know anyone who can help me out?" Easy isn't it! O.K if
you're in a job and looking in the same market, you have to be a
little more careful about getting referrals, but it is still one
simple question, albeit in confidence.
A word of warning here. Please, do not be afraid to
use your contacts to the maximum. I've known people not talk to
brothers and sisters because emotions like pride got in the
way. Use all possible avenues, maximise your contacts.
Don't be guilty of the cardinal sin, "I must do this myself!". Very
noble, but it could well prolong your job search.
It could only be a quick call from a business
associate, a personal introduction to a potential employer or maybe
simply a verbal recommendation, but USE it, it's something and it
helps. And, it is these sorts of recommendations that often just
help to tip the scales in your favour.
Consider the following example;
You currently work for one of the major brewers
selling, say, beers to the local off-licences and clubs. You have
decided that it is time to make a move, and being one of the top
salesmen, naturally you would like to make a step upwards at the
same time. Unfortunately your current company are not doing so
well, and there has not been an area managers job available for
months. As far as you can see, you have to be a graduate to get
that role anyway, and you didn't get a degree. Your attitude is
positive, you are good with people, and are confident in your
ability to do such a job.
As you have been in the industry for a long time, you
have many contacts, but in particular you are interested in working
for ABC brewery, they are young, go-ahead and have some great new
products on the market. You happen to know the Regional Director,
you met at a beer conference six months ago, and struck up a
rapport.
In view of your desire to work for that company,
wouldn't it make sense to give the Regional Director a quick call to
see what the likelihood of a cross over would be? He is likely to
be flattered that you remembered him, flattered that you want to
work for ABC, and flattered personally by the approach. It shows
initiative and positive attitude, as mentioned earlier, two of the
most sought after characteristics.
Even if you
don't go straight in at Area Manager level with ABC, with the
Regional Director knowing your aspirations,
top performance, would quickly
secure your ultimate
goal.
So, to make the best of these situations, make a list
of all possible contacts that could help. That pen and paper
will come in handy again here, because, as always, if you don't jot
the names down, yes, you've guessed it, you will forget them.
As far as this exercise is concerned, you will need
to list anyone who could possibly help no matter how small a leg up
it might be. At the list making stage it is difficult to tell how
much help any given person will be, how far they will go to help,
how many strings they can pull, so list them all! The maxim here
is, you don't know until you have asked.
It is also very dispiriting to find that someone you
thought you could count on, may not deliver the goods for you.
Be prepared, just in case. You will probably find that some
people will surprise you to the good, whilst some you really thought
could help, will not deliver. Forewarned is forearmed!
Incidentally, don't stop at personal contacts. Most
people will have a mass of business and miscellaneous contacts that
may be able to help. The following may fall into this category;-
-
Former employers
-
Teachers and college
tutors
-
School friends
-
Members of your club
-
Members of your church
-
Past colleagues
-
Present colleagues
-
Professional contacts (eg;
doctor, dentist, lawyer, banker etc)
-
Former subordinates
(don't overlook this possibility)
-
Trade bodies
So, scour your
Filofax, Outlook Address Book and Blackberry, leave no stone
unturned!
Once you have listed all of your potential contacts,
just have a quick think as to who is most likely to be able to
help. Make a note or mark by those people and contact them in a
relevant order.
To conclude, obviously your first contacts should be
the people closest to you. These will be your close relatives and
friends, all are likely to help as much as they can. You
would do the same for them....wouldn't you?
And, finally,
when asking for help be straight, and as specific as you can.
Final thought for this little section. During your
search, you will meet a lot of new contacts. Do not hesitate to use
these new contacts if you feel they are able to help you!
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