HOW NETWORKING FOR A JOB IS LIKE FINDING A PLUMBER

Imagine you have a leaky toilet and decide to ask co-workers, friends and relatives if they would fix your toilet. First of all, potentially very few of them have the ability to do the repair. Second, there would be very few you would feel comfortable enough to impose that large a request. Last, several would make an excuse that they do not have the time to fix your toilet. That is exactly how most job seekers approach networking for a job. They perceive that very few people can help them, are uncomfortable making the request of most, and don’t get a very enthusiastic response from those they ask.

Now imagine you decide to ask co-workers, friends and relatives if they know of plumber they could refer you to. You would recognize that almost everyone you know who owns a home may have a plumber. It seems like an easy request that you could make of most anyone you know, and you will find that most people would be glad to provide you the name and number of their plumber, or refer you to someone else they know who has had recent plumbing work done. That is exactly how networking for a new position should be like. You are not networking for a job, but rather to seek connections to the proper hiring authority within a list of well-researched target companies (a topic for another blog post).

If you have a typed list of about 20 target companies, you can show that list to ANYONE and most anyone may have leads to someone in one or two of your target companies. That lead my not yet be your potential hiring manager but may be able to refer you to the person who is (Six Degrees of Separation).

If you approach networking for a job this way, you will find it easy, effective and richly rewarding when you find yourself receiving valuable assistance from so many. This is the best way to find a job in today’s competitive marketplace as a referral allows you jump over hundreds of applicants.

There are professional career management and marketing firms that can coach you in the methods of effective networking – in a way that won’t require you to change your personality and you will find comfortable. ExecuJobs has helped thousands of job seekers learn these methods. Give them an opportunity to help you. To start on the path to the solution to your career questions, contact us @ PR@execujobs.net or go to www.execujobs.net today!