Job search networking: Why you must meet people outside your function!

It goes without saying that as a job seeker you must create a networking opportunities with those at the right level and in the right position to hire you. At the same time,  you can significantly accelerate your search by networking with people who might not initially seem to fit that criteria.

Consider networking with people who are outside your function and at least one level above you.

Here are some of the advantages of this strategy:

1. You will learn the language of a different function and how to translate all the great things you did and can do for a hiring company into terms that will resonate with senior management. The language of most executives is financial, yet it may not be easy to translate what you’ve done into financial terms. You may not have previously been able to identify the financial impact of things like improving employee satisfaction, developing new training programs, bringing projects in on time, etc., or even things like doing layoffs without any employee suing the company.
2. You will get to hear some of the issues of a company from a senior perspective. You might not hear about these issues from people at lower levels. And best of all? You have information other job seekers don’t have!
3. When you’re networking with these executives or interviewing with them, you’ll be able to explain how what you can do to help the company solve their issues. It’s a great way to position yourself as someone unique. I’ve seen these conversations lead to the creation of a position just for that person. It can happen.

These conversations are great ways to make connections and build relationships of credibility. These people will be more likely to open their network to you and introduce you to more great networking partners. You’ll be networking with the in-crowd!

You will have some great networking conversations while you’re learning how to translate what you do into a language that will make you stand out from other candidates.

This strategy pays off even if you are already working.

When I worked at the software development company, I didn’t know any better and spend a lot of time asking a lot of questions of the executives. Every time they had a new issue, I would propose some solutions. I got several promotions (and raises—remember raises?) to implement those solutions.

Expanding your networking strategy to include people you might not otherwise connect with and watch the number of opportunities that come to you expand as well.

Job search networking: They never got back to me!

It can be difficult to know what to do when people who offer some kind of help for your job search and then don’t follow through.

I’ve found that if people offer to help you, they almost always intend to do it. And then there is that big thing that can get in the way of those good intentions–life.

When people offer to do something, be sure to thank them. Then ask some questions so you know what they really intend to do. This also gets them to start thinking about really doing it. Often I’ve found that people say they will follow up with a colleague to introduce you but don’t really think about what or when specifically they will do it. So they just honestly forget.

And of course sometimes these offers are a lot like those promises to “call you for lunch—really soon.” So get specific to find out if this is a real offer or just an air kiss.

A few easy questions will help. Maybe questions like “are you sure you have time to do that?” or “I’ll want to follow up with them right after you’ve contacted them. Will you let me know when you’ve connected with them? Or do you recommend I just plan to call them on Wednesday? Should I call you later this week to follow up?” You get the idea.

Many times (most times, actually) I’ve seen job seekers say something like “OK, thanks.”  It’s almost as though the job seeker is afraid if they keep talking the person will change their mind. Or they are thinking “OK, got one. Now need to move on to someone else to talk to.”

You just need to ask some questions to make this work for you. You might feel that asking for specifics is being pushy or might sound ungrateful. As long as you don’t grill them under hot lights, I have found that some follow up questions from you makes the other person feel you are excited about what they have promised to do.

When you just say “thank you” and then just change the subject or move on to the next person at the meeting, it might give the person an impression that their offer wasn’t all that attractive to you.

Think of it like getting a present. When you just say thank you and that’s all, I might think you aren’t all that crazy about the sweater I knit for you. When you try it on, ask me how I fit the sleeves so well, I feel you really like what I’ve done. Help me feel you like the idea I’m going to do something that will help your job search.

If these questions about the specifics don’t you get specifics in return, I would assume the other person is making an offer they aren’t going to follow through on, and just lower my expectations. Then if they actually do follow through, it’s like an extra present. One that really fits.

Launch your job search networking into the hidden job market with this song (even if you can’t sing)

You may find it easier to develop an overall strategy after using this list that lets you get started right now. A body in motion tends to stay in motion—it’s a beautiful thing. 

I originally drafted this to be sung to the 12 days of Xmas (with apologies to…well, just about everyone). The good news it works for any other holiday of your choice. 

So here we go. Sing along…

12 days of (insert holiday here) networking for job seekers 

On the first day of networking I decided to: Make 1 call to someone who never heard of me 

How to “up” your attitude in job search–fast!

Job search can be such a difficult time, and at the same time, you have to be upbeat, positive and self-confident. Here is a simple technique (and cameo appearance by ZK!) Read more

Job Search Networking: Are You Making these 10 Mistakes?

I will admit it took me a long time to really get this. I couldn’t understand why networking felt so weird to me—at least when I did what the experts and career coaches told me to do. I finally realized that it felt like something was missing from all the techniques I read about.

Turns out that what is missing is the concept of relationship. Networking, at least the way I initially learned it, was all about me and asking for help in my search. If we don’t focus on relationship first, most of networking then just becomes about our agenda—usually to find a job or at least a link to a job lead.

We don’t always take time to get to know someone a bit. We are pretty focused on what is causing us pain—trying to find a job. If you’re sensing or worrying that people are feeling used, you may be right.

I learned it is easier and more comfortable for people to assist you when it’s done in the context of a relationship. Think about how you feel when someone you barely know just wants you to do something for them. It just as true in networking as it is in the rest of life: when people know you care about them, they can care about you.

Here are 10 mistakes you may not realize you’re making. I know because I’ve made them all. Hopefully this list will help you avoid them.

1. Forget it’s about the relationship first.
2. Don’t ask how you can help the other person.
3. Be vague about what you want from the other person—which means they have to figure it out for you.
4. Don’t bother to follow up on leads you are given or names of people they suggested you contact.
5. Not taking time to connect other people to each other for their mutual benefit.
6. Launching into a discussion about what you want without asking: “is now is a good time?”
7. Not staying in touch with people you want to have a relationship with.
8. Don’t get back to people to let them know the results of doing what they suggested.
9. Not going out of your way every so often to let them know they still matter to you.
10. Not staying connected with people until you need them again.
11. Not having statements (brief!)  to succinctly explain what is unique about you so they a) remember you and b) have something interesting to tell other people about you.

Job Search Networking: Let’s Celebrate those Lemons

Before you go networking, asking for connections to hiring managers, and even interviewing, do this critical and worth-the-effort step. It will make you a stand-out candidate. How cool would that be?

A critical action in developing your job search stategy is to be honest about what might not be quite what the hiring manager is looking for–the lemons. If you can turn what might be considered a job search liability into an asset, you’ll get much further in your job search networking and interviewing. Here’s how you “line up the lemons” so even those things that other people would consider liabilities can be converted into assets.

We all have them–maybe not enough years of experience. Or we want to think about a new kind of career or industry. Maybe you’ve been in several industries rather than focusing in just one. Or maybe you’ve had several job changes in the last few years. Or maybe you’ve had one job for the last 15 years.

It’s critical to develop a clear compelling statement that explains how whatever it is on your resume that could be considered a lemon is actually an advantage to the company who hires you. As a recruiter and frequent (!) job seeker, I know that if you don’t do this, the other person won’t be able to do it either. And it’s just that much easier to take a pass on you as a candidate. Harsh, I know, but probably true most of the time.

Let me give you an example. When I was interviewing for the Director of Recruiting for Deloitte & Touche, I had only about six months of recruiting experience. My previous experience was in software marketing. I learned from the recruiter that everyone else who interviewed had 10+ years of recruiting experience.

I had been recommended to her through networking, so she was willing to take a chance by presenting me. Plus she and I had developed a really nice relationship during the course of her interviewing me. (More later on how to create relationships with recruiters that put you at the head of the line.)

So I knew my own “lemon” was my huge lack of experience as a recruiter. I needed to make sure the Hiring Manager saw that lack of experience as a real asset to him.

During the interview I asked him to share his vision for the group and how he had been so successful so quickly. It was an amazing thing he had accomplished, and his enthusiasm for going even further was clear.

Also clear to me was that he needed creative recruiting strategies that went beyond same-old-same-old if he was going to recruit the large number of people he needed to be successful.

So that’s exactly what I told him. I said that if he hired someone with several years of experience, they would do what they had already learned how to do. That would be, in my estimation, the kiss of death for his vision.

With my marketing background and no perceived notions of what could or could not be accomplished in recruiting (because after all I had almost no experience!), I would be strategic and creative. That would be what he would need.

Happy ending: he agreed!

So this isn’t about calling anything about you a liability. It’s about being strategic when you prepare. If there is something in the list of requirements you’re missing, figure out what you have instead that more than makes up for that missing piece. Or, as I did above, explain why the fact you DON’T have that part of the requirements could be a benefit to the hiring manager.

In working with great executives in transition, I’ve found they are often quick to point out where they may have a liability in terms of getting the job. The next step can be more difficult.

Translating that to an asset that GETS you the job is the next step. it’s really in your best interest for you to do that translation. If you don’t, the hiring manager and/recruiter either won’t do it or will do it in a way that doesn’t help you as a candidate.

Also in my experience very few candidates have taken the time to do this “positioning” of themselves as a candidate. If you do, you will really differentiate yourself from the crowd.

P.S. Sign up for the free report in the column on the right to get started on developing a standout brand statement. Become the candidate they cannot resist!

Job Search Networking: Brand S’mand Who Cares?

So just what is a brand statement? Does it matter or is it just a “flavor of the day” concept?

Networking into the Hidden Job Market to Change Industries

This strategy can be extremely useful when you would like to change industries. You can’t assume that the person you’re talking to will automatically be able to see why your experience in industry A will be an asset to him in industry B. Don’t leave this quantum leap in thinking to your interviewer or person you’re networking with.

Most candidates say their skills are “transferrable” and then they stop. If they cannot explain in a compelling convincing way how that is true, it’s is unlikely that a recruiter or hiring manager won’t be able to see how that’s possible. So while it’s true, you must be able to explain HOW it’s true. What does the hiring company get if they hire you from a different industry that they don’t get if they just stick to people in their industry.

Read more

Strategy to get into the hidden job market part 2

Hopefully by now you’ve started what we talked about in Part 1. Here is where you can find that post in case you missed it. (Soon I’ll figure out how to make live links!)

http://www.hrjobsearchsecrets.com/

Now you are ready to learn the next step in networking to get into the hidden job market. After you’re done with this article you should be able to get in front of the people you decided you wanted to meet in Part 1. The more specific you can be about what you want, the more results you’ll get.

Fear of being specific is hurting most people in their networking. Interestingly, it is a somewhat strange (at least tome) truth that you really don’t hear about more leads or get more referrals to the people you’d like to meet because you’re vague. You will sound like everyone else and won’t be remembered.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I was networking for a position. Someone was finally kind enough to let me know I was being so vague she would never be able to figure out who to introduce me to. I thought I was playing it cool by not narrowing down what I wanted her to help me with. Maybe it was cool (I’m hating to give up the idea I was being cool) but it was a recipe for getting absolutely no help from my network.

Ask people if they know certain hiring managers or other people on your list in order to start. If they do and they know you want to meet them, they will be more willing to introduce you. If they don’t know that person, they may know someone else you should meet

Conclusion: Networking to get into the hidden job market is possible. Just keep an eye out for that concern about being specific hurting your networking success. As you start to ask for referrals to specific people in specific industries, you will start having more and more conversations with hiring managers and people who will refer you to others. Please make the decision now to get out there and start asking for connections to specific people by name or by title.

Make this kind of networking a significant part of your job search strategy. It will really pay off with connections that may help you not just in your job search but throughout the rest of your career.

In my next post, I’ll show you a simple way to change how you ask for referrals in networking that will dramatically increase the number of people you get to meet. It’s amazing what a difference this small change makes.

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