Job Search January Challenge #2
The vast majority of job openings are never advertised.
Experts estimate that up to 80% of job openings are filled through employee referrals or word-of-mouth, especially for higher level positions.
Job boards have an important place in your job search, but don’t stop there.
Tap into the hidden job market! Network, network, network.
Do you need to know a secret handshake or be a member of an elite club to discover unadvertised job openings? No! All you need to do is network. You’re probably a member of a network, whether you know it or not.
Your network is comprised of the company you keep. You never know which of the people in your circle might hold an important key to your job search. The trick to networking is to reach out, be consistent, and communicate. It’s easy!
First, make a list of everyone you know. Everyone.
Your network consists of both business and social contacts.
Write down every family member, friend, neighbor, and college alumni you can think of. Add your barber, mail carrier, landscaper, and the first person you ever kissed. There, I’ll bet you’re surprised by how many people you know, and that’s just your social list.
Now list your present and former co-workers, colleagues, clients, bosses, teachers, industry connections, and association members. Keep adding to these lists as you remember, and make the acquaintance of, more folks.
Get organized.
Add more information to your contact list. If you’re computer savvy, use a database or spreadsheet. If not, grab a notebook and create sections. You’ll want your contacts’ names, titles, company, phone numbers, and email addresses. Create a space to record dates of communication and the highlights.
Communicate.
That’s right, reach out and re-connect with everyone you’ve ever known. Either phone or email work fine. Go ahead and catch up, but don’t beat around the bush. Be clear about your current needs so they can help you. Most people want to help. And ask them if you can assist them in any way, too, then do.
- Formal Approach—Come right out and ask for job leads, referrals, and recommendations
- Informal Approach—Ask for information and advice
More on the Magic of Networking—What I Learned from My Fairy Godmother
Follow Up.
Keep in close contact with your network. I recommend following up every few weeks. Schedule a time frame to connect with each contact and keep notes after each conversation. Keep your network informed of what is happening with you and pay attention to their needs, too. Then thank them. Thank them for the friendship, for the favors, for the information they pass on, even if it doesn’t lead directly to a job lead. And by all means, thank them if it does.
Challenge #2: Set a quota of contacts per day
Try to expand your network by accepting all invitations. In fact, you might want to set a quota of networking events per month, too!
Reaching out might feel uncomfortable at first, but remember, the more you do, the easier it will become. Now get out there and network your way to a new job!