Frequently Asked Question Of The Week Networking - This used to be the way most people got jobs and you didn’t really need a resume, graduate degrees, certifications and all of the other things that you do today to prove you’re the highest qualified. Experience outweighed all of that and if you knew somebody that was your ticket in. This still works! However, you usually need a resume all of the credentials along with knowing someone. Today, Direct Networking and Indirect Networking is what works. Direct Networking is when you know the head of a company, or an employee in a similar position you’re applying for at their company. With this kind of networking you don’t simply say “Hey are you hiring? Here’s my resume!” No, you want to form a relationship of some sort. Find out as much as you can about the company and the position first. Then, you can tailor your resume for the position and give it to your contact person. You’ll be more prepared if they call you for an interview.Indirect Networking is when you don’t know the head of the company, a decision maker or an employee of the company, but maybe you know someone else who does. For example, a neighbor who is a doctor, but one of his patients works for Coca-Cola. Or, he even has a friend who is in senior management. You could let the neighbor know that you are job hunting. Just casually strike up the conversation and you may be surprised by how he can help. Then, ask who to contact and if it’s ok to use him as a reference. He may even offer to contact the person and give your resume himself.Social Networking involves both direct and indirect networking. I like Linked In for professionals. There are other social networking boards out there too and I’m not talking about Facebook, Twitter, etc… I mean industry specific and those boards related to your interests. For example if you’re an exotic car lover, a chef, IT professional, wine enthusiast, etc… if you join a member board to discuss related topics with other like-minded individuals eventually the topic of job hunting comes up and you can take it from there.Online Job Boards - There are the independent job search engine sites like Career Builder and Monster and then there are the company job boards. Both are highly successful in my opinion, but again it’s if you do it right. Follow the posting requirements exactly as they say (for example posting a plain text format, for this you’ll need an
e-resume). And make sure your resume is loaded with key words so that their search engines can find your resume quicker and put you at the top of the pile. For the independent job search engines you’ll need to post to as many as possible. I’m talking 10-20 sites at least so that your resume will gain the most exposure. Hiring managers will either call or email you, or the jobs will come to your email box inviting you to apply. I have seen numerous clients have excellent results with posting their resume online to job boards. The only thing is you have to be careful of the scams out there. Remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
Recruiters - These are really great because you know exactly what you’re getting. Don’t get it confused though. Recruiters don’t really work for you, they work more for their client which is the company they’re sending you to. The good thing is because they’re goal is to fill the position and make money, if they think you’re the right candidate they will do everything they can to get you that job! If it means tweaking your resume to the client’s requirements, interviewing tips, testing, etc… they will do it. So, I guess in a sense they are working for you too, but their main priority is that client. So, my advice is to sign up with several recruiters.A combination of all of these will work as long as you put best foot forward,
stay persistent and positive! Remember it starts with an eye catching resume.
