Well hello there...How would you like to help me get a job?
September 2, 2010 10:53 AM Subscribe
How to network?
Hey folks, I am looking for tips and ideas on the correct way to network. While I am generally good at keeping in touch with people I've worked with, I always feel very self-conscious when asking for help relating to my job search. If possible, I would like to hear examples of what you've done to get jobs in the past aside from sending in a resume or using recruiters.
Also, I know that LinkedIn seems to be a great way to network but most folks always say to approach hiring managers instead of recruiters. Exactly how do you know who these people are? What do you say once you find and identify them?
Thanks in advance.
Hey folks, I am looking for tips and ideas on the correct way to network. While I am generally good at keeping in touch with people I've worked with, I always feel very self-conscious when asking for help relating to my job search. If possible, I would like to hear examples of what you've done to get jobs in the past aside from sending in a resume or using recruiters.
Also, I know that LinkedIn seems to be a great way to network but most folks always say to approach hiring managers instead of recruiters. Exactly how do you know who these people are? What do you say once you find and identify them?
Thanks in advance.
LinkedIn seems to be a great way to network but most folks always say to approach hiring managers
LinkedIn is only your first stop. It is where you check in with the people you know, or know people who you know, and tell them what's up and how they can help you. One way they can help you is by connecting you with or at the very least getting you the name of the hiring manager and/or the individual HR person who is responsible for that position. This may not be on monster/dice/indeed.com, but it will probably be on the internal job posting or will be someone your contact knows.
Asking for help, yeah, it isn't always easy, but if you come up with a good story, and can make your case... you can go a long way. You don't have to tell them why you are in this position - at least not the awkward (even if they are true) reasons - rather the ones about changing life goals and wanting new challenges etc etc etc. And, have you ever successfully hooked someone else up with a job, or a partner, or even a great apartment or something? It's great to help two or more people who are important to you! You're also likely to run into informational interviews, giving people a chance to show off what they know and talk about themselves. This is a great opportunity for them, as well.
posted by whatzit at 11:02 AM on September 2, 2010
LinkedIn is only your first stop. It is where you check in with the people you know, or know people who you know, and tell them what's up and how they can help you. One way they can help you is by connecting you with or at the very least getting you the name of the hiring manager and/or the individual HR person who is responsible for that position. This may not be on monster/dice/indeed.com, but it will probably be on the internal job posting or will be someone your contact knows.
Asking for help, yeah, it isn't always easy, but if you come up with a good story, and can make your case... you can go a long way. You don't have to tell them why you are in this position - at least not the awkward (even if they are true) reasons - rather the ones about changing life goals and wanting new challenges etc etc etc. And, have you ever successfully hooked someone else up with a job, or a partner, or even a great apartment or something? It's great to help two or more people who are important to you! You're also likely to run into informational interviews, giving people a chance to show off what they know and talk about themselves. This is a great opportunity for them, as well.
posted by whatzit at 11:02 AM on September 2, 2010
One of the things I've found key about networking is, don't call people just when you need help. You don't have to call and shoot the breeze every week, but a simple (and brief) "hi, how are you, this is what's going on with me) email every once in a while is appreciated. You want to be able to give help however you can, not just get help.
To give an example of what I am talking about (and an example of how you can help without having loads of experience and contacts): I, and another colleague, organized a get-together for alumni of our Master's program a few months ago. Colleague and I did the heavy lifting of booking the room, getting snacks, setting a time and day, notifying people, etc. In return - or maybe just because I put myself out there and was visible? - I got an offer for a greatly-discounted rate on a tele-class (which was excellent, btw) and some freelance work thrown my way (much needed and greatly appreciated!). So even if you're a rank newbie to your field, there are ways you can help others. Networking is reciprocal.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:10 AM on September 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
To give an example of what I am talking about (and an example of how you can help without having loads of experience and contacts): I, and another colleague, organized a get-together for alumni of our Master's program a few months ago. Colleague and I did the heavy lifting of booking the room, getting snacks, setting a time and day, notifying people, etc. In return - or maybe just because I put myself out there and was visible? - I got an offer for a greatly-discounted rate on a tele-class (which was excellent, btw) and some freelance work thrown my way (much needed and greatly appreciated!). So even if you're a rank newbie to your field, there are ways you can help others. Networking is reciprocal.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:10 AM on September 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The purpose of networking is to ask for advice rather than help, and to also build or become part of a community of peers. Being part of a community means understanding what other people are looking for, too, so it's important to listen.
It's not necessary to be introduced to someone first before contacting them, and I often think introductions slow down the process, and force you to spend valuable social capital.
LinkedIn is *okay*, but it's really more of an online contacts manager. It can be useful for drumming up consulting business, but if you are at the early stage of trying to grok what networking is all about, LinkedIn may not be for you.
Instead, do some research about particular companies or organizations where you might like to work. Next, try to figure who is doing the kind of job that you might like to do. When you have figured out who these people are, try cold-calling them for an information interview.
Cold-calling is done by sending a brief email first. In the email you say who you are, what you are looking for, and what you want. You are typically looking for advice about how to break into a particular job, and what you want is a 15 minute phone interview. Finish the email by saying you will call in a couple of days.
By the way, always ask for advice. It's free, and people like to give it. "Who should I talk to?" is also a great question.
Always call earlier in the morning, or later in the afternoon. If there is no answer the first time you ring, leave a short phone message. Promise to phone back, and mention your email. Then, keep trying to call back once or maybe twice a day. However, don't leave a message again.
If you can't get in contact with someone, it was not meant to be. In order to increase your odds, create a list of 100 people who you want to talk to.
When you do get through, be sure to a) have questions prepared in advance (and maybe send them by email) and b) keep the interview to 15 minutes. One of your questions should be "Who else should I talk to?"
Keep in touch with your interviewees. Let them know about the progress of your job search. Keeping in touch means perhaps pinging them by email once a quarter.
-------------
I'm a networker - it's what I do. I've spent the past 6 or 7 years working for chambers of commerce, industry associations, and a government entity that sat at the nexus of a bunch of different sectors and interests. I lost my job back in November of 2009, and I started networking the next day.
As a result, I had people sending me job postings from confidential email lists. I also had people contact me with contracting work. I probably did contact close to 100 people, and I received about 5 solid contracting opportunities out of it.
I have a nice contract at the moment that I actually got because of my ability to network. While government claims it is out of money, one of my networking contacts told me that there was actually funding available. He told me to talk to someone else in a different department, who told me to talk to someone else in yet another department... At the end of the day, I secured funding for my client when no one else could.
But for 3 months or so I spent about 7 hours a day either meeting people, or setting up meetings with people. But the success-to-effort ratio can be very small indeed, so it can be a lot of work.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:49 AM on September 2, 2010 [18 favorites]
It's not necessary to be introduced to someone first before contacting them, and I often think introductions slow down the process, and force you to spend valuable social capital.
LinkedIn is *okay*, but it's really more of an online contacts manager. It can be useful for drumming up consulting business, but if you are at the early stage of trying to grok what networking is all about, LinkedIn may not be for you.
Instead, do some research about particular companies or organizations where you might like to work. Next, try to figure who is doing the kind of job that you might like to do. When you have figured out who these people are, try cold-calling them for an information interview.
Cold-calling is done by sending a brief email first. In the email you say who you are, what you are looking for, and what you want. You are typically looking for advice about how to break into a particular job, and what you want is a 15 minute phone interview. Finish the email by saying you will call in a couple of days.
By the way, always ask for advice. It's free, and people like to give it. "Who should I talk to?" is also a great question.
Always call earlier in the morning, or later in the afternoon. If there is no answer the first time you ring, leave a short phone message. Promise to phone back, and mention your email. Then, keep trying to call back once or maybe twice a day. However, don't leave a message again.
If you can't get in contact with someone, it was not meant to be. In order to increase your odds, create a list of 100 people who you want to talk to.
When you do get through, be sure to a) have questions prepared in advance (and maybe send them by email) and b) keep the interview to 15 minutes. One of your questions should be "Who else should I talk to?"
Keep in touch with your interviewees. Let them know about the progress of your job search. Keeping in touch means perhaps pinging them by email once a quarter.
-------------
I'm a networker - it's what I do. I've spent the past 6 or 7 years working for chambers of commerce, industry associations, and a government entity that sat at the nexus of a bunch of different sectors and interests. I lost my job back in November of 2009, and I started networking the next day.
As a result, I had people sending me job postings from confidential email lists. I also had people contact me with contracting work. I probably did contact close to 100 people, and I received about 5 solid contracting opportunities out of it.
I have a nice contract at the moment that I actually got because of my ability to network. While government claims it is out of money, one of my networking contacts told me that there was actually funding available. He told me to talk to someone else in a different department, who told me to talk to someone else in yet another department... At the end of the day, I secured funding for my client when no one else could.
But for 3 months or so I spent about 7 hours a day either meeting people, or setting up meetings with people. But the success-to-effort ratio can be very small indeed, so it can be a lot of work.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:49 AM on September 2, 2010 [18 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by griphus at 11:00 AM on September 2, 2010