How do I network my way into a job?

March 16, 2009 6:47 PM

I've been looking for work for a little while, and have just come across position which would be ideal for me. It's an IT team leader role with an Engineering firm here in Brisbane (Australia), and I've applied for the role in the normal fashion (website / phone follow-up). However, general advice seems to be that one has better luck networking one's way into a role, and in this instance I have the option to do so -- my father is a respected engineer, and (although they're not close mates) has known the COO, MD, and Chairman of the board for years, and has previously worked with them. The organisation doesn't have a CIO, so there's a good chance the IT function reports to the COO. So, how could I use this information to my advantage? Or is the link too tenuous, and I should simply rely on the standard application process?
posted by coriolisdave to Work & Money (10 answers total)

ask your father if he's willing to call the coo and put in a good word.
posted by lia at 6:50 PM on March 16, 2009

Response by poster: I'm sure he would, but I'm not entirely sure what I should ask him to say..?

"My son's awesome, he's got.. skills! that I don't understand, really, but he seems to be good at what he does. Or at least, that's what he says. He set up my laptop, though.. that's going well!"

Seems a bit.. weak? I dunno.
posted by coriolisdave at 6:55 PM on March 16, 2009

Do ask your dad to help. No, it's not too tenuous. Your dad will have ideas about what to say. It might be like this, "Hey Joe. My son's wanting a job with your company. He has his eye on the XYZ job. Can you make a few calls?"
posted by Houstonian at 6:59 PM on March 16, 2009

I don't think asking your dad to put in a good word for you could hurt although I agree that it would have little positive affect, if any affect at all. If he's willing to do it, then do it.

If he's not, the other way to use it to your advantage is to get as much info from your dad about the guy and the company as you can, and if you get an interview, mention that your dad knows the boss, and that you know the comany does this sort of stuff, which of course if really interesting to you, and given what you know you imagine that they plan on going this way in the future, and you want to be a part of that. Etcetera.
posted by Effigy2000 at 7:00 PM on March 16, 2009

Best answer: The conversation can be quite simple. "Hi there old friend, my son has put in his application for x job and I'd appreciate it if you could give him an interview. I think you'll see he has all the qualifications you're looking for."

Then they can catch up on old times or what not. After that it's up to you. Good luck.
posted by inkyr2 at 7:01 PM on March 16, 2009

I think you should stick with the standard process. If you ask your dad to call his friend and put in a word for you, you're sending the message that you expect to be given the job based on, at least in part, a family connection rather than your own skills. Should you get the job, you are also potentially putting the COO in an awkward position if things don't work out.

By all means use information about the company gleaned from your dad in shaping your answers in the interview, but I wouldn't mention that he knows the COO or the board.

(if your last name is unusual, they might work it out anyway, in which case, if asked, you can say "yes I am [ ]'s son" and leave it at that)
posted by girlgenius at 7:54 PM on March 16, 2009

inkyr2 has it, the conversation doesn't have to be anything more than that. it doesn't put the coo on the hook for anything other than an interview; it's up to you to sell yourself at the interview.

If you ask your dad to call his friend and put in a word for you, you're sending the message that you expect to be given the job based on, at least in part, a family connection rather than your own skills.

sorry, but that's bullshit—"expect to be given the job" is a pretty big statement, and one that's unwarranted. the only thing you can really expect is that, if the coo respects his dad, he'll put a word in to whomever's in charge of hiring to make sure they get a good look at coriolisdave's resume, especially if it's just one out of hundreds or thousands. hate to break it to you, girlgenius, but networking is the best way to get a job. also: it's not your fault as an applicant or even a fault if a company decides to hire you because of whom you know—you scratch my back, i scratch yours is classic networking and a classic business strategy.
posted by lia at 8:11 PM on March 16, 2009

Best answer: No link is too tenuous. Your Papa calls up COO and simply tells the truth. "Been a long time since we spoke. My son mentioned he applied for a job at your shop. I would really appreciate it if you would give him serious consideration. He is a great kid and hard worker and seems to be suited just right for the position." On preview, what inkyr2 said.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:30 PM on March 16, 2009

I would lean towards girlgenius' perspective. I think informing yourself through your father's experience with the company is useful and a good thing to do.

Disregarding how strong or weak the link is, I think it could appear unethical to have that type of influence over whether you get an interview or not, and in the end it might not be of benefit. My personal view is that it is unethical.
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 9:21 PM on March 16, 2009

I'd think that whether it's okay to use your personal connection when finding job is a pretty culturally-dependent issue.

Here in Asia that is definitely a very acceptable way of getting an 'insider' track. In fact, that is probably one of the better ways of getting in.

You should ask your friends/co-workers in Australia what they think about it. It's hard for us to pass any meaningful advice without knowing the cultural context you're operating in.
posted by joewandy at 3:37 AM on March 17, 2009