Job Search Networking Phone Tip: Did you Really Want to Sound like a Telemarketer?
No matter how important you think you call is, or how urgent, always let the other person set the timing. Telemarketers never ask “Is this a convenient time to talk” because they know the answer. They don’t want to give you the chance to tell them no. So if you launch into your discussion without asking if the other person has a moment to talk to you, you’ll give a great impression of a telemarketer.
ALWAYS ask if NOW is a good time. It will be greatly appreciated. Even if they say yes, be sure to listen to the background noise and how they respond. If it sounds as though there is a lot going on, or they sound distracted, check with them again. Often, I tell people I’ll be happy to call back because it really doesn’t sound like a good time.
You can hear the relief in their voice when they realize you’re not going to dump on them before they get a chance to say anything, and that you respect their time. When you eventually get to talk about you, you’ll find you already have a relationship started because of your sensitivity to their time and needs.
It was hard for me to do this when I started. I wanted to get to my agenda right away. Once I got someone on the phone, or even got their voicemail, I wanted to tell them what I wanted.
That cost me a lot of potential relationships and lost me a lot of time. I finally learned that slowing down, making the relationship the most important thing on my agenda, and having an approach different than most job seekers was what was getting me good connections into the hidden job market. I think it will do the same for you.
Thanks for reading!
What is networking for job search really?
It’s about connecting. Some people have this as a life philosophy. For the rest of us, it takes some time and conscious effort to get into the swing of it.
But it’s clear to me that it is the key to all the success I’ve had so far. Now I truly am the EX-reluctant networker.
Maybe reread Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. His advice to make people feel important by taking an interest in them is still relevant.
If you are having some challenges in your job search networking, take heart. Most of us do from time to time.
Sometimes in job search it’s easy to focus just on what we want. I still remember some of the days when the pain and the panic set in. It was hard to think about taking time to build a relationship and take an interest in others. I thought I didn’t have the time to waste.
But it never was a waste of time. And today I’m so grateful to the people I got to know who now comprise my treasured network. And the fact that my last four jobs came from that network is just icing on the cake!
Once you get that great new job, remember to stay interested in the people in your network. You will be able to help them in ways you cannot today imagine. And reap huge rewards for yourself at the same time. You may never have to do a job search again to find your next great job — and the next — and the next.
Hidden Job Market Networking: Secret to get into a new industry
I know it’s possible to change industries because I’ve done it several times. My secret? Networking!
Here is a strategy that can be extremely useful when you would like to change industries. It will help you in your job search networking and, as a bonus, when you interview. I had to develop this technique because throughout my career, after about 18 months in a position, I wanted a new one! Especially if it could be in an entirely new industry or function.
Here is the reality. If you don’t make a compelling case about why your experience in a different industry makes you the best candidate, they won’t be able to figure it out! And we all know what the probably outcome of that will be.
Critical Questions to answer even if they don’t ask
Let’s assume your career has been in Industry A and now you want to work in Industry B. Before you start networking and interviewing, think of compelling answers to these questions:
• How is your experience in industry A an advantage to a hiring manager in industry B?
• What did you learn by being in industry A that people who never have been anywhere than that industry would not have a chance to learn?
• What unique results will you be able to get for a company in Industry B because of what you learned in Industry A?
• Look at your resume, review your experience. Begin to identify any areas where you may differ from the “ideal candidate.”
Think through your answer to:
how can the things that could be perceived as liabilities actually turn out to be assets for the company where you want to work?
The ultimate question to answer, even if they don’t ask:
“what is it about you and your experience that makes you a better candidate than the candidate who does have industry experience?
Practice your answers to these questions. Be able to weave them easily and briefly into your career brand statement as well as the requests you make of those you are networking with.
Create a compelling case for them to hire you
If you have thought this through and have brief, powerful answers to these questions, you will be able to present a compelling case for your candidacy. People who are networking with you will feel more comfortable introducing you to people in your new target industry if you have answers to these questions.
Why your “transferable skills” claim is ignored
Many candidates who want to change industries rely on that old standard: “well, my skills are transferable”. That statement without the supporting information from the questions above just puts you in with the majority of candidates who said the same thing. In reality, it will probably really lose you the game. Most recruiters and Hiring Managers I’ve worked with typically ignore that argument.
If you answer the questions above, even if they don’t specifically ask, you’ll always beat out those who have nothing but “transferable” to talk about.
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 them in industry B. Don’t leave this quantum leap in thinking to your interviewer or person you’re networking with. They will never make it.
Make it for them and get the job!
Job Search Networking: When Do I Spill the Beans?
When networking to get into the hidden job market, I think we’ve all worried how to answer the question “When do I tell people that I’m looking for a job?”
Some say you should wait until you’ve known someone a while or have done them a favor.
I think you can do it right away when you do it the right way. I hope this audio will help you feel comfortable letting people know you’re in job search.
Hate Job search Networking? 10 Tips to Help You Hate It Just a Little Less
1. Look at networking as a way to increase your knowledge about your industry and function. You’ll learn things that will differentiate you from the competition who aren’t bothering to create a network.
2. Network to create relationships. Network with people even if you don’t think there is a job available right now. This is the way you’ll find your next job. Plus it can bring you every job after that. You may never need to be in job search mode again.
3. Be willing to help other people. And make that clear by always asking “How can I be of assistance to you?”
4. Play to your strengths. Use the skills that make you successful in a job to help make you successful in networking. Do what you do best: if you’re detail oriented, do lots of research. If you’re marketing professional, create sound bites about what makes you a great candidate.
5. When people offer to help (and more than you might think will be very willing to lend assistance), let them. Protests like “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you to do that” aren’t necessary nor flattering to either of you.
6. Be willing to ask specifically for what you want. I know that can be hard. However, if you don’t, the other person has to do the work to try to figure out how to help you.
7. Be willing to be yourself. You don’t have to embellish or fabricate; you’re great just the way you are, even if you haven’t had much confirmation of that recently.
8. Treat any networking encounter like a business meeting even if it’s a phone call, email exchange, on line or in person. Don’t forget to bring your personality and unique style.
9. Listen, listen, listen. ‘nuf said.
10. Thank them, write to them, keep them informed, stay in touch, remember them.
And an extra:
Create good career karma by connecting people to each other for their benefit even if there isn’t anything in it for you at the time.
Job Search Networking: Our Special Song
Hate small talk? Darn, because it’s essential to create networking relationships! I (the original reluctant networker who sucked at small talk) want to share with you an amazingly simple techniques you can use.
Not only will you start to build relationships quickly, no one will know that you may not be a natural born schmoozer! This technique is one of my favorite, guaranteed to make you seem like an old friend even if the two of you just met.
Essential Job Search Networking Skill — Sorry, Mom!
Probably your mom, like mine, told you not to talk to strangers.
But in certain situations when you’re networking, you may want to think about ignoring mom. Just for a moment. You may also want to ignore Linkedin’s scary (did the Linkedin mom write this?) rule: don’t connect with people you don’t know. Yikes, isn’t connecting with people I don’t yet know one of the huge advantages of this fabulous networking site?
Networking in all its flavors is the key to getting into the hidden job market.
Today’s social networking makes it possible and relatively easy for you to find the people you want to network with. It doesn’t matter that today you are total strangers. Take the opportunity to connect with them to begin building a relationship. As the two of you get to know each other, it is likely that both of you will benefit.
On many social networking sites, and Linkedin is a great example, you may already know someone who knows the person you’d like to meet. So you and they can feel more comfortable because of that mutual connection. Because you can see information about the person you want to meet, you will know other things you may share with them.
Building a relationship is really the place to start.
In the list below, you will notice I did not say to start out by sending a resume to someone who is connected to the hiring manager or recruiter for a position you’re interested in. While they may not say it, many people will simply feel used.
Social networking sheds light on the contacts you never knew you had as well as those you would like to create. Of course, you must take action. As long as we’re breaking mom’s rule, here are some ways to leverage your expanded community of “contacts” to assist in your job search.
• Search for old connections to reconnect and catch up
• Find people with whom you’ve only had a brief connection and strengthen that relationship
• Build business relationships with hiring managers as well as other people you should know in your industry/function/geographic area
• Identify and meet (on line and off line) recruiters, people in your target companies, prominent people in your industry or function
• Follow, learn from and connect with thought leaders
• Increase your web visibility and credibility which makes it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you
• Find out what your target companies are doing, their business issues, competitors, etc.
• Be better prepared for all your networking calls, calls for informational interviews, etc.
You can buy mom flowers to celebrate your new job!
I hate small talk! 7 Essentials for Job Search Networking
I will freely admit that in addition to being a reluctant job search networker, I also hated small talk. Slam bam whammy a double curse!
When I became determined (ok, desperate) to learn how to do networking in ways that felt comfortable for me, I started interviewing people who were master networkers. That research is how I learned all the networking secrets I love to share.
Since that strategy worked so well to learn how to network, I decided to take the same approach to learn how to do small talk. I didn’t expect to learn to like small talk, just to learn some ways to sound as though I liked it. As I learned some techniques that actually worked, I started to like small talk in spite of myself!
Let me share some of what I learned, just in case you hate small talk, too!
First I had to learn and then accept there is a purpose to small talk. It gives you and the other person a chance to find something that you have in common. That is the beginning of building a relationship. And you’ll want to be a master of creating a relationship quickly since they are the foundation of your job search networking success.
So here are some quick tips to make small talk easier for those of us who kinda hate it and/or don’t do it particularly well.
• Make your first remarks quite neutral and non-threatening. Remember, the purpose of opening remarks is to let people process the sub-text that says you like them.
• Say something relevant to the situation. You may build agreement right away. For example, you may say “Beautiful place for this event, isn’t it?” This would encourage your conversational partner to start agreeing with you from the first moment. This is good!
• Say something pleasant, complimentary or empathetic because your first sentence is 100% of their experience of you at that point. If your first comments are boastful, complaining, negative or sarcastic (no matter how witty or intelligent), that will be their impression of you, and it will be a difficult task to change that impression.
• You will find that acknowledging them for something they have done is a powerful way to melt the ice.
• Say something that is easy to agree with. This provides sub-text that says “we agree, we’re alike, we have something in common. We can now move on to more meaningful conversation.”
• Save your jokes, strong opinions, clever remarks for when you know the person better. The sub-text here says “look at me; appreciate me.”
• You want your sub-text to say “I see you and I appreciate you.” Keep that thought in your head and it is conveyed easily in your small talk.
I know these may seem to be in the “well, duh” category. But I’m always amazed at how they help me feel a little more like a smooth schmoozer. I hope they help you if you hate small talk, too!
Job Search Networking for Introverts & Extroverts: There’s hope for all of us!
Introverts may think they cannot do networking. Yes, they can. And in a way that works for them.
Extroverts may not recognize just how many networking skills they have—and how to best leverage them.
Introverts: Your Unique Strengths
• You are sensitive to what’s happening around you and can pick up and relate to other people’s needs and feelings, resulting in others sensing you are empathetic.
• You come across as thoughtful and focused because you take the time to think before you speak. You are often able to quickly develop rapport and trust.
• You are skilled at sensing how to respond to people most effectively.
• You don’t always feel as though you need to be talking, making you are an excellent listener.
If you’re introverted:
• Realize that you have great information, and other people want and can use what you know.
• Give yourself permission to network in ways that make you comfortable. Remember that some of the most effective networking is done in a venue in which introverts shine – one-on-one.
Extroverts: Your Unique Strengths
• You are at ease with small talk and can easily engage others in conversation.
• You think things through by talking, so people know what’s going on with you.
• Because you ask easily for what you would like from the other person, you tend to get more of what you want.
• You are an excellent brainstorming partner because don’t force yourself to think things through before speaking.
If you’re extroverted:
• Because you are self-confident and can easily talk to people, be on the lookout for those times when you will want to ask other people a question. Find out what they want to talk about and get a sense of how they are feeling.
• Remember to switch gears beyond the social aspects where you clearly shine to take advantage of making connections and leveraging the job search networking possibilities.
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.
