|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Article Details |
 |
|
|
|
|
| Article Listing | Search Articles | More Articles in Search Strategies | More Articles by Kevin Donlin |
3 More Job Search Secrets for Tough Times |
| by Kevin Donlin - 2007-12-28 |
| |
| "Because it's not just what you know that will get you hired. It's who you know. And -- more importantly -- who knows you." |
| |
In my ongoing search for the latest and best job-hunting tips, I interviewed a Silicon Valley recruiter and cracked open my client files
this week.
The employment methods we'll explore here are highly effective, largely unknown, and all boil down to one word: people.
Because it's not just what you know that will get you hired. It's who you know. And -- more importantly -- who knows you.
Without further ado, here are 3 job search secrets that can get you hired, even in tough times ...
1. Employee Referral Programs -- Get an Advocate
"In this economy, a number of companies refuse to interview candidates who aren't referred by employees," says Dave Lloyd, a Silicon Valley recruiter and author of "Graduation Secrets," a career guide for young people (http://www.gresumes.com/gradsecrets)
Large corporations use referral programs to encourage employees to submit names of people they know for open positions. This screening process makes sense, since like attracts like -- talented employees often have talented friends. And companies are willing to pay $500, $1,000 -- and more -- to employees who refer new hires.
So it pays to start making friends at big companies you want to work for.
"I knew one motivated employee at a high-tech firm who made $500 for every hire he referred. So he actively searched for great candidates. He helped get 3 people hired while I was recruiting for that company in 2001," says Lloyd.
Your Lesson: The best way to learn about employee referral programs is to strike up a relationship with someone at your target company -- and ask. A simple email will do. Then, keep in touch. Your contact may end up walking your resume into a hiring manager's office. You get hired and your "advocate" gets a cash award -- win-win!
2. Network from the Inside -- Create Your Own Job
From my client files this week comes the story of "Frank" from Toronto, a marketing manager for a multi-national high-tech firm.
At first, Frank did what most job seekers do. He posted his resume online, sent it to recruiters and answered help-wanted ads.
But it was networking -- within his own company -- that really paid off.
"I used an internal contact in New York City, one thing led to another, and I was over in the US doing 6 job interviews in the last 2 weeks," says Frank.
His Fortune 500 firm is now creating a new position for him with a generous salary and relocation package. This came after I encouraged him to leave no stone unturned with his current employer.
"I emailed a co-worker and asked if I could use him as a resource for an internal job search. He agreed to help, which led to my interviews. And I already had a good reputation internally, with several VPs to serve as references. That gave me an advantage I would not have had at another company," says Frank.
Your Lesson: The grass may be greener on your side of the fence. If you've done good work for your current employer, be sure to exhaust every in-house option before looking outside for a new job. (I know this firsthand -- back when I worked for other people, in the 1990s, my last employer created a new job for me. All I did was ask!)
3. Become a Power Broker in Your Field
It's an old maxim: Givers get. And it's especially true when job hunting.
Our Silicon Valley recruiter, Dave Lloyd, confirms this.
"Last year, I was trying to fill a supply chain management position for a computer firm, so I contacted an industry association to see who they would recommend.
"Everyone I talked to told me the same thing: call Joe Jones in Houston. It seems Joe had organized an online forum for job seekers and was helping a lot of other folks in the process. His name was well-known among industry leaders -- we offered Joe the job," says Lloyd.
Your Lesson: You can join or create a job search forum for your city, using a service like http://www.yahoogroups.com. By sharing leads in a forum, you become the go-to person and your reputation can spread. As a result, you may be among the first to hear of new job openings.
Now, go out and make your own luck!
Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0." Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. To learn about Guerrilla Job Search secrets caught on video, visit
http://bit.ly/188UT5 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
