Posted By Amanda Collins on October 5, 2010

It’s estimated that up to 70% of job openings are never posted—so how do you find out about them? You need to create a network and then leverage those connections to get you in the right place at the right time. But, unless you’re very lucky, that doesn’t just happen on its own. You have to build the results you want. But how?

Get to know your network.
People who know you well are generally more inclined to help you. You may have hundreds or thousands of contacts, but it’s more effective to have just a few you know well and who are willing to act on your behalf. You can certainly strategize on who your best prospects are and develop relationships, but do so altruistically rather than with an agenda.

Treat people with respect.
If you don’t respect your network, they’re not going to have that warm and fuzzy feeling about you to help you. Treat them kindly and you’ll find that your contacts will keep you top of mind in their interactions.

It’s a two-way street.
You cannot just ask again and again without expecting to give something in return. Part of the effectiveness of a network means that you help each other. I have one recruiter in my database who helps a number of job seekers with the hopes they will remember him for their recruiting needs when they land a position. He doesn’t do it just for that reason, but he understands you have to give to get.

Know what you want.
As much as people may want to help you, they’ll have a hard time doing so if they have no idea what you’re looking for. Be clear and concise when you ask for help. Suggest certain industries or job titles to get them thinking. Even names of people will be helpful.

Don’t make assumptions.
At a networking event I attend, the HR rep from a sit-down restaurant chain often asks who wants to talk to him, and only a few people raise their hands. They assume he’s only looking for wait and kitchen staff, but the truth is that he’s often looking for all kinds of people—and he has a vast network that expands whom he can help. But if you put someone in a box, you may very well be closing doors.

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Posted By Amanda Collins on September 29, 2010

There’s no question about it: social media is here to stay and can have a significant impact on your job search. But, like anything else, there are some parameters you should consider.

Manage your online reputation.
Unless you’ve locked your accounts, they’re open for everyone to see. You can leave the accounts open for public viewing, but be sure to remove anything—and I mean anything—that could be misconstrued. Otherwise, go to the privacy settings and be sure that everything is set for friends only.

Build a network.
Connecting with your friends is fun, but expand your horizons to companies and people who can help your cause. While Facebook might be just for friends, Twitter and LinkedIn are where companies can post jobs and look for candidates. Start targeting the right places so you’ll know what’s new and you’ll have a better chance of creating results through social media.

Continue to learn.
You may feel like you know everything there is to know about social media, but it’s an evolving system and there’s always more to learn. Continue to take classes and get advice from experts on how to best leverage your connections and maximize social media.

Remember the old-school methods.
Sure, social media is a fantastic tool to find a new job, but don’t let it be the only one you employ. You should still be using networking, classified ads, and other old-fashioned methods to look for positions. Statistically, nearly 70% of jobs are unlisted, so however you can make yourself known will make a difference.

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Tags: social media

Posted By Amanda Collins on April 6, 2010

Who doesn’t love to talk about themselves? While it may seem self-serving, this little tidbit of knowledge may be the key to landing your next job through social media. It works particularly well on LinkedIn.

Imagine that you are targeting a few specific companies for your next position. For sake of argument, let’s say they’re IBM, Procter and Gamble, and Kodak, and the position you’re seeking is Director of Marketing (this works with any position or company, by the way). LinkedIn allows you to search for people based on company, so head over to the advanced search engine and start with IBM. Look for people who currently work at IBM in marketing. I found 370 in the U.S. who fit that category. Say you want to work in New York; that search garners 80 results. You want to shoot for the person who is at least one level above you, so I found Matt Preschern, the VP of Marketing at IBM. He is my second-level connection and he only has 144 total connections, so he’s more likely to take a look when he gets an e-mail.

Since Matt is connected to me through two people, I can either ask for an introduction from one of them, I can connect with him on LinkedIn, or I can Google him to see if I can get his e-mail address. When I did Google him, up he came – with all of his contact information. So now I can go back to LinkedIn and put in his e-mail when I connect with him, so LinkedIn thinks I know him.

In that initial contact, what you say is very important. DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB!! I cannot stress this enough. You are on a fact-finding mission. Here’s an example of what I might send Matt:

“Hi, Matt. I was looking through LinkedIn and came across your profile. I see that you’re currently at IBM and have a depth of experience in the company. I’m fascinated with what you’re doing over there, and I was hoping to connect and bend your ear for a few minutes to learn more. Perhaps we can set up a time for coffee / a phone call in the next week. I look forward to connecting and learning more about you.”

Notice that no mention of job seeking was made. You are looking to learn more about him. Hopefully, Matt will be receptive to the e-mail and will return the favor. While you have him as a captive audience, do ask about what he’s doing at IBM. What is their current marketing strategy? What goals do they have for the future? Where are they having challenges moving forward? Essentially, you are gathering information to set yourself up as the solutions provider!

After you’ve learned about Matt and his role at IBM, business etiquette suggests he will ask about you. That’s when you tell him where you are. Provide solutions to what his current and future needs are, tell him you’re currently researching opportunities in marketing and IBM is one of your target companies. Suggest that you’re open to consulting positions or something more permanent. Since you’ve already showcased your value, you’re now positioning yourself to be offered a job.

Now, I’m not saying this is 100% fool-proof and will result in a new job, but it can’t hurt. At the very least, you will have made a new connection – and you have no idea who this person knows.

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Tags: Job Search, linkedin, social media