By Tamar Asedo Sherman
Finding a job isn’t easy. Most of us check the want ads in our local newspaper, searching for something we might be able to do. That is the easiest approach, but it is in fact the least likely way to obtain employment. How could that be? Ever since there have been newspapers, that’s the way people have looked for jobs.
But way back, even before the advent of newspapers, and continuing still, the first most effective way to get a job is through networking. It’s all about who you know, or who the people you know, know. Most jobs are filled through word of mouth and might never be listed anywhere. An employer might post an internal message about an open position, or start out by mentioning an opening to a few key people, within the business or among family and friends.
Many employers offer bonuses to staff members who refer someone to fill a position. That’s because employers trust people referred to them by someone they know far more than they trust strangers. The employee’s reputation is on the line by referring someone, so employers feel confident in accepting the referral.
When I owned and managed a toy store in Roslyn, New York, I needed people to help out as sales clerks or assistant managers to give me a day off. I never advertised for one. Before I opened the store, I asked a sales clerk at a neighboring store if she knew anyone who was looking for work. She thought a moment and remembered a friend who was ready to get back into the workforce now that her children were in middle school.
We got together and I hired Stella on the spot, without interviewing anyone else. She was perfect, with years of experience that I lacked, so she could teach me how to run a retail establishment. At holiday time, I needed additional help, and I was able to hire from my customer base.
A couple of years later, I offered a job to an acquaintance, Kim, whose life was in transition. More than a trusted and devoted employee, she became a dear friend.
My point is this: The most effective job search method is to develop a network of contacts. Studies show that 60% of people found their jobs through a contact given them by a friend, relative or other acquaintance. Contacting the people you know is more effective than all other methods combined.
Holiday time with frequent gatherings of families, friends, and neighbors is the perfect opportunity to start networking. So, in addition to reading the want ads, tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a job. Here are 5 steps to developing a large network of contacts:
1. Make lists of everyone you know. Start with relatives, then friends and neighbors to whom you might be sending holiday greeting cards. Add in acquaintances from previous jobs, hobbies, organizations, schools, or religious affiliations. You might easily hit 100 names.
2. Contact each person on your list, beginning with friends and relatives. Tell them you are looking for a job and would like their help. You might even enclose a little note to that effect in each greeting card.
3. Present yourself with a brief statement of your skills and qualifications, and the type of job you are looking for.
4. Ask your contact for leads. Most likely, the person you call will not know of anything off hand; but do not despair.
There are two follow-up questions you must ask:
a. Do you know of someone else who might know of an opening? Write down that name and number and ask for another. If the answer is another no, then ask the next question:
b. Do you know anyone who might know someone else who might know of a job opening? (or do you know someone who knows a lot of people?) You can usually get a name or 2 out of this one.
5. Contact these referrals, using the name of the person who gave you their names, and ask them the same set of questions. By doing this, you will expand your network to hundreds of names. Eventually, someone will offer you a job. Remember that most jobs get filled with people the employers meet before the job becomes available. When contacting some of these referrals, rather than asking, “Are you hiring?” you might do better saying, “I realize you might not have any openings at this time, but I would like to talk to you about future possibilities.”
Then when a job does become available, the employer will already know you might fill that position. So start making your lists now.
Tamar Asedo Sherman works as an employment specialist at UCP-Suffolk in Hauppauge, NY. She can be reached at action@unitedspinal.org.
I teach job search strategies as a component of my career management program. Tamar is correct, the bulk of leads which will generate interviews come from contacts. Also don’t be afraid to ask contacts for their contacts.
Networking works!
I suggest volunteering to find jobs AND to increase self-esteem. (This past week I rang a bell for the Salvation Army. Fun to watch people and interact with a few. I have done this twice during Dec., for two, two hour shifts) I felt good about myself. I could have mentioned to the volunteer coordinator that I was looking for a job as well as mention this to passersby who stoped to talk) I’m mentioning this as it is PEOPLE WHO HIRE OTHER PEOPLE.