| Networking is no newbie to the world of business | | | | the person who would make hiring decisions for |
| (or employment); from business deals to job | | | | the department. (Sometimes, it helps if you tell |
| leads, networking has always been the way to go. | | | | the other person you are looking for advice as |
| It is an undisputed fact that almost 75 to 80% of | | | | opposed to a job.) |
| jobs are filled through networking. This trend | | | | Even though HR does all the hiring, most of the |
| doesn't come as a surprise though; don't we all | | | | job requisition process starts at the departmental |
| love to shop at places or dine at restaurants | | | | level. Sometimes, if you manage to speak with |
| recommended to us by our trusted friends? In a | | | | the hiring manager before recruitment ads are |
| similar manner, corporations, too, like to hire | | | | placed, you might eliminate all the competition that |
| employees referred by a trusted source. | | | | would otherwise come into play once the ad |
| So how exactly does one break into an | | | | placed. |
| employer's inner circle? Well, read on. | | | | (If possible, network with individuals at one level |
| Get them to recommend you | | | | above, below, and at the same level as the hiring |
| Let us examine some of the individuals or | | | | manager. If these individuals also put in a word for |
| organizations any company would need to work | | | | you, it would be like icing on a cake.) |
| with. An average company would need at least | | | | Tell everyone |
| one or more of the following: lawyer (or law firm); | | | | The more you network, the faster you will reach |
| bank, investors, or venture capital firms; | | | | your career goals. Start by contacting everyone |
| consultants; vendors; employees; insurance agents | | | | in your address book. It doesn't matter if they |
| (or companies); customers (of course); | | | | are not in your profession or your geographic |
| technology support (internal or external); | | | | area of interest; they might just know of |
| maintenance; business partners; external auditors | | | | someone who can help -- don't assume they can't |
| (or accounting firms); public relations consultant(s); | | | | help. Potential networking contacts and platforms |
| equipment suppliers. In addition, one or more of | | | | can include the following: friends, colleagues, |
| the following affiliations may exist: universities, | | | | acquaintances, previous employers, industry |
| professional associations, community, religious, | | | | associates, vendors, customers, mentors, |
| political, non-profit causes. | | | | professors, industry/alumni associations, college |
| Using aggressive networking and targeted | | | | career centers, recruiters and headhunters, golf |
| company and industry research, you should be | | | | buddies, book club members, support groups, |
| able to discover which of these parties your | | | | places of worship, career fairs, community and |
| employer associates with. Once you have that | | | | religious leaders, industry experts, etc. I would also |
| information try approaching them. Most people | | | | add individuals like barbers, massage therapists, |
| tend to be receptive to individuals soliciting advice | | | | doctors, vets, nail salon owners and workers, |
| or guidance, so the key is to avoid sounding like a | | | | waiters, bartenders, coaches, neighbors, subway |
| salesperson, but rather as someone who is | | | | riders (of course, the ones you speak with), bus |
| seeking advice. (During the conversation you could | | | | drivers... Now, I know that sounds like a stretch, |
| slowly introduce a request for recommendation or | | | | but my stance is based on experience. I recently |
| help.) | | | | coached a client to contact everyone she knew; |
| Merit if supplemented with a recommendation | | | | though reluctant at first, she took my advice |
| from someone known to the employer could | | | | seriously. She informed her massage therapist |
| significantly boost your chances of securing the | | | | about her employment interests; the therapist |
| offer. | | | | happened to know a CEO (again, a client); the |
| Nail the hiring manager | | | | two connected and, voilà, my client found her |
| Targeted cold calling, networking, extensive | | | | dream job. This is not an isolated example; the |
| company research, and industry associations | | | | employment world is a witness to many such |
| should help you find the name of the hiring | | | | stories everyday. |
| manager. The way targeted cold calling works | | | | Recruiters and headhunters |
| (for the purpose of job networking) is as follows: | | | | Networking with recruiters and headhunters is |
| try calling the company you are interested in | | | | integral to the success of any job networking |
| working with; ask the operator to transfer you to | | | | effort. These are individuals who get paid |
| the department you would most likely work at; | | | | thousands of dollars to find the "right" candidate. |
| once through the department, tactfully ask the | | | | (Certain recruiters have a tremendous influence |
| person on the other end to tell you the name of | | | | over the hiring manager. |