What's Your Networking Strategy For Your Job?

Lately I’ve been asking my clients about their networking strategy. I’ve even decided to add coaching people on networking strategies to my roster of services—it’s becoming THAT important in this job economy. Sitting at home, in your fuzzy slippers and applying for jobs online just ain’t cuttin’ it. Here’s the two-step process to improving your network.

1. Figure out what how to talk about yourself. Check out 15secondpitch.com to figure out how you should talk about your experience. The Wizard takes you through questions like Who you are, what you specialize in, what you do, and why you’re the best at what you do. (gee..exactly what you should have on your resume and be talking about in an interview…imagine that. :) ) The key is to introduce yourself in a way that’s memorable so that people remember who you are and what you do; and Second of all: want to help you. You want them to become your sales force on the streets looking for jobs for you.

Case in point: I have many clients, each one with their own unique talents and skills that I enjoy crafting into a great resume or helping them highlight in a job interview. Since I know my clients really well, I’ve always got my radar on for ways to help them. This morning I got a follow-up call from someone whose resume I’d done several months ago; Tom. He landed, and then was recently let go through no fault of his own. This afternoon I went to lunch with a current client, Rick and told him about Tom’s background and what he was looking for. Rick gave me a fabulous lead that could help Tom. Because I thoroughly understood Tom’s background, I was willing to stick my neck out for him and advocate his abilities.

This is what you need as a jobseeker. You need advocates. You need to turn people you meet into a sales force who will stick up for you and go the extra mile to help you. Think about recommendations you’ve made to other people about restaurants, dry cleaners, doctor’s, etc. What qualities did those people or services have that caused you to speak out about them? What made them stand out in your mind? Since you’re now looking to BE recommended, you’ve got to exhibit those qualities when meeting people to get recommended. You need to turn them into advocates for your cause and funnel job leads and ideas back to you. Will you get some leads that you don’t want? Yup. Does it matter in this economy? Nope. Just pass it along to someone else you know who might benefit.

2. Look for places where you can now hone this fabulous sales-pitch of yours. First, look for jobseeker groups that meet in your area. There’s about 4 here in Southwestern CT, and I’d imagine that they’re popping up around the country at this point. You can also go to Meetup.com and look for other jobseeker groups. If there isn’t one—start one. Contact a local career coach in your area and ask them if they’d be interested in hosting it. As long as they’re providing good content and advice, they’ll be a huge help to the group. While you’re on meetup.com, check out other special interest groups—like movie going groups, board games, wine aficionados. All of those activities gives you a chance to meet new people and broaden your social network.
Another good option is to take a class, either through your school District’s Continuing Education program or a local college. My friend Gilda Bonanno teaches great classes in CT on Presentation Skills, (beefing up your skills in this area looks awesome on a resume, BTW). You can also take a business class that interests you at a local community college. Want to explore your options in project management? Then sign up for a workshop on that topic.
Attend association events. It’s not enough to be a member of the American Marketing Association and checking their job board, you need to show up at a meeting and charm them with your personality. Looking for a job with a local company? Check out your town’s Chamber of Commerce meetings. You can peruse their list of members to get a feel for the types of people who attend. Chances are that you won’t be in competition with many other (if any) jobseekers. Make conversation with the businessperson by asking about how they’re faring in this economy, get their thoughts on what’s happening in the local market. Then introduce yourself as someone in transition, and say that you’re looking to network with people in x industry or y company. NEVER ask for a job. You’re just trying to get an introduction to someone who has the potential to help you, either with advice about your skills or someone who has an idea of other avenues for your job search. People at Chamber meetings are master networkers. Always keep in mind that people will speak up for others whom they know and like.
Why does networking work well? The problem now is that hiring managers and recruiters are being flooded with resumes for their open postings. It’s much easier for them to listen to a recommendation from a friend or co-worker about someone who is a great candidate, check out your resume and discuss the position with you. Don’t you go to restaurants and buy cars that other people recommend before you strike out on your own? It’s the same decision-process for hiring managers.
The trick is that they don’t know you unless you make yourself known. Time spent networking is more productive than sitting on your couch worrying about your jobsearch.