Job Search Networking: Two Essentials—and Neither is Your Resume
The hidden job market really isn’t all that hidden.
It’s actually right in front of you, and all you need to do is network your way in. You’ll be surprised at how willing people are to assist. You can accelerate getting into the hidden job market when you are prepared for networking.
So if you’re going to a networking meeting—coffee with someone, an association meeting or conference where you will meet people who can hire you, an informational interview phone call—please have these things in place first.
First create your search strategy.
I’m amazed at how many people ask to talk to me about their job search without having defined who they want to meet, companies they would like to work in, etc.
I was talking to one job seeker and told her that I was really unfamiliar with her job function. But I might know people in her target companies so could perhaps help by introducing her. I asked if she had a list of companies where she wanted to work. What was her strategy?
Her response was that she was hoping she could just network and not have to create a strategy. When you have a strategy defined, you know exactly what to ask for. One way to guarantee they won’t be able to help you is to say, “Well if you hear of anything I might be interested in, let me know.”
Creating a strategy takes some time and perhaps some introspection and honesty. It’s time well spent.
The second essential is your career brand.
This is how you become memorable. By having your brand statement, you help people talk about you! You stand out and capture their attention.
Sadly and surprisingly, most job seekers today cannot tell a recruiter, hiring manager or networking connection what is compelling about them—what makes them the candidate to hire. In today’s economic climate, it may feel as though experience and skills are just commodities. What can put you in the lead, make you memorable to your networking contacts and irresistible to the hiring manager is all built around your brand.
If you are struggling to create your brand, please get my free report available on my blog.
It shows you how to have others help you uncover your brand–easier and you get some networking in at the same time! Please try it.
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:
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
Hidden Job Market Networking #2: Pink Suit Series
What if people suggest I attend a meeting or meet someone and I really don’t want to?
I don’t want to offend anyone but…
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