NETWORKING, NETWORKING, NETWORKING!

There’s a saying about successful Retail companies that goes “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION”. Well, I’m going to propose a saying that pertains to successful job hunting, “NETWORKING, NETWORKING, NETWORKING.” I’m not going to say that it’s all that simple to find a job, but networking done right, and done relentlessly, WILL show results. That was one of the concepts we had in mind when we created CareerShift.com. Here’s the scenario. You want to get a job with XYZ Corp. You can use CareerShift’s “My Jobs” function and type in XYZ Corp and see what jobs they have open in your desired field. There it is! Has ME written all over it! I’m going for it! Perfect match! Now what? Well, I don’t want to burst your bubble but guess what, you aren’t the only one sending your paper into that company for that job. Here’s where the NETWORKING part comes in. Get some guts. Hit the “Find Contacts at This Company” link listed below the job. Probably will give you 50+ contacts (some are probably not there anymore but hey, our info on CareerShift.com is only as up to date as the Internet is). Who do I call? CEO, CFO, COO, SVP, HR? Well, in my past life I headed up the HR department for a few Fortune 500 companies and I have to be honest with you, you had a better chance dating a supermodel than getting past my bulldog Administrative Assistants. Just the way it is but here’s what you do. Look down the list of employees listed in XYZ Corp and start ”smilin and dialin” when you start seeing titles of folks at a more appropriate level of the organization that you think might take your call. If there is any background info on the person in their contact info, so much the better. May even have a few things in common with the contact. It may be a Manager, Director, HR or PR person….. who knows? Be persistent and make sure you have your “selling shoes” on because YOU are the product for sale!!! WORK at it until you find that person you click with and see if they’ll be your ambassador, your sponsor, and present you to the hiring managers. Start out by telling them you are on the job market and need some advice. Basically, people are good (except for a few of my bulldog Admin Assts) and are willing to help. And hey, CareerShift.com might also have their email address listed so don’t forget to write a Thank You email when you send your sponsor your resume. Now what??? Do it again at another company you find on CareerShift.com. No need to target companies, just type in a keyword or two in your desired line of work and CareerShift.com will search the entire web, all the major job boards and company sites, ALL AT ONE TIME. Then slip on your “selling shoes” start “smilin and dialin” and “NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK”. Work hard and good luck. Let’s connect again soon.