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December 2011
What to Do When Networking Isn't Working
(by Alison Doyle · About.com Guide)
Sometimes, despite your best efforts at applying for jobs, looking for contacts to network with at companies, and doing everything else within your power to get your candidacy noticed, you’re stuck.
This is a tough job market and it’s not a question of you not doing the right things. You can be doing everything you’re supposed to do to job search effectively and can still hit brick walls when it comes to getting noticed by employers.
What else can you do? It can take thinking outside the typical job search strategies box and being creative to get the attention of a prospective employer. Leading career expert and author Marty Nemko shares his advice for how to land a job when networking isn’t working.
Here’s what to do when networking isn’t working:
Walk in. If you show up on the doorstep of a couple dozen potential employers, at least one is likely to help you.
Have someone call on your behalf. Ask your most eloquent advocate to call (leaving voicemail is okay) the hiring manager and say something like, “I hear Joe Jones is applying for the job as project manager. I want to let you know that I know him well and think he’d be a magnificent hire.” Spread the word. Ask everyone who likes you for job leads.
Use the call-email-call-call strategy. Make a list of at least 25 target employers, whether or not they’re advertising a job. Find the name of a person at each place of employment with the power to hire you. Spend just a few minutes on Google learning about each employer. Call your target employers after hours. Conclude by saying you’ll be emailing your resume, cover letter, white paper, portfolio, proposal for something good their business can do, whatever. Email those as soon as you get off the phone. If you haven’t heard from them in a week, call (again, leaving voicemail if necessary).
Send more than a thank-you note after an interview. For example, you might include an outline of what you’d do if hired.
If someone else got hired, call the hiring manager. Say something like, “Of course, I was disappointed I didn’t get the position. I’m confident I could have done a great job for you, but I’m not calling to ask you to reconsider, only that if for some reason the person you hired doesn’t work out or another position comes open for which I might be well suited, I’d like to hear from you. I enjoyed meeting you and would welcome working for you.”