Wider Nets for Networking

 

Searching for positions that are already listed on the internet or company website is the accepted and recommended method – there’s a job, I apply and send my resume, then wait for the call to interview. If I’m lucky I can find someone who knows someone in the company to leverage my efforts or sell me to the hiring manager. This is the way most people manage their job search and it works for a lot of us.

Unfortunately in the current market there are far more seekers than openings, so you are competing with tens or hundreds of other candidates for the same few jobs. If you are willing to Ask Bigger* of yourself and your efforts, there is another approach that will widen your network substantially. * What I mean is that you will have to dig deep into your skill and willingness and ask yourself to go much farther than you imagined you could.

One of my business friends sells a product/system that used to be called “Contacts Influential” and now has another name for the web-based version. It is a research tool that gives you everything you would want to know about a business in order to sell a service or product. It gives names and titles for key decision makers. Sales professionals use this information to make an unsolicited approach via letter, email, or phone call and thus widen their business network and make the sale.

Job seekers who are not in the sales/marketing game are often reluctant to make a “cold call” based on this kind of research.  It’s too scary to write or call someone out of the blue and introduce yourself – even if that’s the opportunity that can make all the difference in finding that next career step.

So how do you do it? You request what has been called an “information interview”.  There is a lot of info on the web that will give you the how-tos and the don’ts, or you may want some coaching in one of my groups to get you going.

Bottom line is that if you have been in transition for more than 8 months, you need to widen the net. Challenge yourself to get out of that comfort zone of job boards and asking friends who they know. Ask more of yourself – in fact I would say Demand more of yourself.

Take Charge – Get Moving

And remember, I’m here to offer support and coaching.  livingstonsiegel dot com

Love and light,

Diane