It’s true. Most job openings are never posted and many are never even listed internally. These “hidden jobs” go to people in the right place at the right time, people that are remembered, people that network. Especially for the shy among us, professional networking can seem a bit daunting, but with the proper plan you can cultivate an extended group that will be there to help you when you need it most.
Contact everyone you know. Everyone. Make a list of contacts and get the word out that you’re looking. You’d be surprised how well this simple step really expands your job search reach. I once found a job through a friend’s cousin’s friend’s boyfriend just because I mentioned in passing that I was looking for a job. It doesn’t matter if they’re in your field or not, let everyone know you’re looking. It’s a small world.
From the grocery store to the gym, parties to waiting rooms, anywhere you can have a conversation is a place you can expand your network. Be prepared with business cards and collect as many as you can. Keep up-to-date records of your contacts in a spreadsheet, address book or notebook. Business cards don’t help as much when they’re sitting in a stack on your dresser.
If you get lucky you’ll end up with direct contact information for someone hiring (or recommending who to hire) – a real golden ticket when you’re competing with 500 other candidates who only have the HR department’s email address. HR and recruiting pro Laurie Bartolo has a great article on her blog about the value of making connections outside of the haystack.
Beyond your personal contacts and people you meet in passing, look for targeted opportunities like industry happy hours and trade shows. Professional events require more preparation but pay off with quality contacts. Find out who will be attending, research them online and prepare some questions.
Polish up your pitch. Create and practice a short 30 second “elevator pitch” to sum up who you are and what you’re looking for. You don’t need to lead off conversations with it, but you do need to be prepared to talk about yourself without rambling. An impressive resume is the second act of your pitch. If your resume isn’t absolutely perfect, you might consider investing in a professional resume writer.
Another great tool of job search networking is the informational interview. Informal interviews can serve as excellent educational experiences and shine new light on your desired job and industry. Aim high and try to set up meetings with leaders in your field. Since you’re only looking for information about a job in a relaxed setting, they’ll be more likely to oblige.
Create a list of questions related to their experience in the industry. Are there hurdles to advancement? What’s the day-to-day experience? Where’s the industry headed? Ask them to keep you in mind if any jobs become available but also ask them if they can refer you to any of their contacts. Follow up with a thank you note.
Whether you’re looking for a job or not, maintain your network and stay on people’s radar by being active in your industry’s community. Make friends at the companies you’d most like to work for – internal referrals are another golden opportunity. Attend meet-ups and local industry networking events. Ping your contacts regularly. If you get a job, definitely let everyone know and thank them for their help. Maintain an active network in your industry and you might not have to look for your next job at all.
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[...] events, and other meetups can be another valuable way to get your resume in the right hands. Networking can be stressful at first, but the upside can be enormous. It’s great interview practice and [...]