When it comes to finding a job, nothing beats good,
old-fashioned networking -- contacting friends, relatives and former colleagues,
setting up face-to-face meetings in the hope of getting job referrals. Yes, it
is awkward, but here's why it simply has to be done: At any given time, about
80% of all available jobs aren't posted in the classifieds or on job boards,
says BH Careers International, a New York career-management firm. And 60% of
people surveyed by BH said they got their last job by networking.
Here are 10 tips from experts to make your networking fruitful:
1. Prepare an "elevator speech." Write a summary of what
you want people to know about you that can be delivered in less than 30 seconds.
Make it upbeat and succinct: who you are, what you do, what you're looking for.
More than that, and you risk turning off the listener, says Debra Condren, a
career coach and business psychologist with offices in New York and San
Francisco. Since you get only one chance to make a first impression, she
recommends practicing your elevator speech in front of a mirror, and then on
friends, before taking it to a networking event.
2. Use your existing ties. Start by tapping existing
contacts, including friends, family and ex-colleagues. Spread the word that
you're looking for a job and ask if anyone has a contact who might be able to
offer advice. Then make sure to ask every person you meet for two or three more
referrals. ("Do you know anyone else who might be helpful for me to meet?" can
be an effective question.)
3. Target trade groups. Don't waste time at big events
catering to people in many industries. Join the dominant trade or industry group
in your area. Preferably, it should have a barrier to entry, at least a
membership fee. Consider volunteering on one of the group's committees, to meet
members.
4. Show interest in others. Career experts say the
secret is to stop focusing on yourself and take an interest in the other person.
Ask questions and get the contacts to talk about themselves and their business
experience. This is easier than you might think.
5. Don't ask for a job. It may force the other person to
say no to you. Instead, seek advice, says Dan Strakal, co-author of "Better Job
Search in 3 Easy Steps" and owner of Success Positioning Systems, an
Albuquerque, N.M., career-services firm. People are likelier to be generous with
their time if you ask for their counsel. Don't worry. If you seem qualified for
an opening, they'll refer you to the right person to set up an interview.
6. Build relationships. Strangers won't put their
reputations on the line for you. Build ties with a new contact before asking for
help. Consider dropping a personal note to any new contact you meet at an
industry event. Then follow up, perhaps with a helpful article or introduction
to someone you know.
7. Don't be selfish. No matter how desperate you are,
remember networking is a two-way street. If you've met with a recruiter, you can
always offer to introduce him to the smartest people you know in your industry,
says Melanie Mulhall, a career coach and corporate consultant in Broomfield,
Colo. If you are a young job seeker with little experience, you may not be able
to help a finance chief land his next position -- but his daughter might be
applying to colleges and want to hear your take on a school.
8. Don't abuse relationships. There's no rule here for
how many phone calls are too many. Just try to gauge if you're coming across as
always looking for a favor.
9. Follow through. Nothing can kill a budding
relationship faster than not writing a proper thank-you note. In many cases, you
can e-mail it, but don't assume the content is any less important than in snail
mail. A three-line message with a smiley face won't cut it. Keep the other
person abreast of how your meeting went with someone he or she referred you to.
10. Maintain your network. Cultivate ties even when you
aren't job hunting. Remember, the majority of jobs go unpublished, so you may
hear of an exciting opportunity.
