|
MAIN
Personal
Finance
Job
Hunting
Job
Hunting? It's Not What You Know...
Knowing
somebody "on the
inside" can often be a fast
track to job hunting success.
|
It's WHO you
get to talk to...
The hunt for
a new job, whether it's your first ever or a mid-career change,
can be a frustrating experience. Looking for a job in classified
newspaper ads or online is a daunting task and job seekers may
actually be missing the cream-of-the-crop jobs by relying on these
methods.
Many companies
promote from within or rely on referrals from current employees.
"Most of the best jobs are never advertised," says Michael
Lebeau, M.Ed., assistant director of UAB Career Services. "Only
about 30 percent are publicized through traditional channels."
So how do
you get an interview for a job that's not made public?
Get to
Know the Company
Penetrating
the hidden job market requires the applicant to be aggressive
and to take the initiative by cold calling, prospecting and networking.
Researching the companies where you'd like to work and finding
out who runs the department that's the best fit for you is a good
start.
Relying on
the telephone for making a contact may end your quest at an administartive
assistant's desk. Try targeting your resume
to the company and sending it with a cover
letter that explains why you'd be someone to interview
the next time a job opening comes up.
Be creative
and persistant. Your goal is to impress a future employer with
your ability to get a job done without making a pest out of yourself.
Spread
the Word
If you know
anyone who works at your target company, let them know you are
looking for a position there. A successful job hunt may depend
on personal contacts, information interviews and referrals. "People
very often get jobs through someone they know. Getting to know
insiders is an effective way of getting good referrals."
So if
it seems that the best jobs go to the people who spend a lot of
time networking and getting to know people in your organization.
It may be true but not for the reasons you thought. If
the people who make hiring decisions know and like you, they may
remember you when it comes time to fill that empty position. They
may also have you in mind when they switch to another company
and need people for their team.
Source for
quotations: Newswise
About the
Author...
Chiff.com Directory Editorial Staff
More about
job networking around the Web:
Job
Networking Tips
Online
Social Networking from Monster Career Advice
Tips
on Networking, Resumes and Interviewing
More Chiff.com
job resources
|