Hidden Job Market: Job Search Networking 7-Step Warm Up

| Aug 27, 2010 | Comments 4

It’s hard to ignore how important networking is to your job search. But not everyone jumps right in with enthusiasm. If you find networking intimidating, this warm up might help you get into this essential job search habit.

You will probably find, as I did, that networking is what gets you into the hidden job market. It can be the key to a faster job search. Plus the connections you make now just might help you find jobs for the rest of your career.

If you know you should be networking but are finding it difficult to get started, this list will help. You can start slowly. The key is just to start! And the best time is now.

So here are seven easy warm up steps:

  1. Make three improvements to your linked in profile (add your picture, join an industry or function group where you can meet people and make contributions to the discussions, add your brand statement as a part of your title, add your email and phone #, etc)
  2. Call 2 old friends or people you used to work with just to catch up. It’s ok to let people know you’re in job search, but focus on building relationships. The job leads will follow. Just picking up the phone will make all the difference!
  3. Ask 3 people you are talking to about your search how you can help them (and resolve to always ask this question in the future).
  4. Set 2 coffee dates to network with people you like.
  5. Attend one meeting (of any size) where there will be people at the level who can hire you. Get at least two cards and follow up with a call the next day to set up a meeting just to get to know them.
  6. Find someone at a company where you would like to work, and call to get to know a little about them and the company.
  7. Find someone you’re connected to on Linked in who, based on their title, would be at a hiring manager level for the kind of position you are looking for. Call them to see if they will spend a few minutes giving you their thoughts/advice/perspective on your search.

The most important thing to do to get into the hidden job market–have actual conversations!

And if the thought of calling strangers makes you want to go back to bed or clean the garage, help is here for all your networking conversations. FREE Networking Scripts. Soon you’ll be getting into the hidden job market to hear about opportunities you didn’t know existed!

All my best wishes for a fast successful job search!

Katherine Moody

http://hiddenjobmarketsecrets.com



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  • http://twitter.com/HRMexplorer Peter Lanc

    Great ideas and so practical that there is no reason why someone should not get to work straight away on all 7 aspects.
    Also there are so many who are connected on twitter that this is an example of how you can identify with what they say and their philosophies.

    I also recommend they get with you and other bloggers here. Why not we are all of the same mindset and are all willing to help.

  • Crystal

    Great advice. I think it is really important to keep your eye out to others you know that may benefit from information you come across. I try to make it a habit to forward leads and industry information to people I think may find it helpful. Last month, I helped one person find two jobs just by forwarding information.

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  • Anonymous

    Thank you both for your cmments. It’s clear you both are good networkers, and paying it forward to those in job search. It really works, doesn’t it?