How to Build an Unstoppable Job Hunting Network
It seems to come as a surprise to many of the students that I speak to that their most valuable resource in finding a job after graduation isn't their degree, their resume, or even their transcripts and activities. It's not that all of these things don't help, but that none of them can match the power of the one ultra-powerful tool for getting interviews: the people they know.
I suspect that the reason for this confusion comes from the fact that they don't appreciate the math of the situation. Even the most diligent graduate can probably send out three or four resumes a day. A well-connected acquaintance, on the other hand, might know a hundred people or more working within their industry. What's more, they're likely to find out about new openings before they're ever advertised -- if they are even posted at all.
Whether you're graduating next week, or next decade, there's no substitute for having a long list of professionals who know you and want to see you succeed. Here's how to build that network and put it to use:
Start at the beginning. For most young people, the cornerstone of their network will consist of family and friends. While you might not think of them as professional resources, the fact of the matter is that nearly all of the people you know personally have professional contacts as well. While your brother, for example, might not know someone who can hire you, the chances are good that someone he knows does. Thinking about these connections, and asking the people you know in your personal life to help you make them, is a good first start.
Expand your reach. Regular readers of my columns will know that I'm a big advocate of joining professional clubs and associations. The real world perspective you take away is invaluable; the contacts you'll make are worth even more.
Make an effort to get to know the men and women who volunteer their time to students in these groups. Not only can they tell you what to expect in the working world, but their current positions give them an ear to the ground when it comes to who's hiring, which companies are doing well, and so on. That kind of information can give you a massive leg up on other new graduates.
Stay in touch. Once you've established a network of a couple dozen people who are likely to be aware of new openings, make a point of staying in touch with them from time to time. This doesn't have to be as time-consuming as it seems. Simply set yourself a reminder to send them an e-mail, place a phone call, or arrange a quick meeting for coffee every few months. You want to get into the habit of contacting them often enough that they can get a sense of you as an ambitious young person, but not so frequently that they are annoyed or overwhelmed.
If you think you might have trouble remembering to do this, then do what the professionals do and start a database or contact management system. Learning how to use that kind of software correctly gives you another skill to take to your first job. And more importantly, it will prevent you from wasting your valuable contacts by having them forget about you.
Put the word out. As graduation approaches, it's time to put your network to work. One of the most wonderful things about being a college student is that everyone in your life knows that you're going to need a job when you graduate. All you have to do is put together your resume and reach out to your contacts, letting them know that you're working hard to find a position after school and that you'd love to have their help.
If you've built a powerful enough network, it's almost hard not to get a job. That's because, as I said in the beginning of this article, the cumulative power of your personal and professional relationships is enormous. Even in the toughest job market, there are going to be hundreds of openings in any industry. With enough people talking about you, you're bound to get one of the best ones.
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Joe Mayne is a veteran recruiter, professional speaker, and author of “Your HIRE Calling: Unconventional Job Search Tactics That Work for College Students in ANY Economy.” Over the past 15 years, he’s interviewed thousands of candidates, examined countless resumes, and helped students from hundreds of campuses around North America find great jobs after graduation. You can see more about him and his work at www.MayneSpeaker.com
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