Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch. (Droke)
Only 6 2 % of workers found their current jobs on the internet according to a 2005 survey. That may be up to 10% in 2009. The 4 biggest internet job boards only filled 2 2 % of the jobs says the Wall Street Journal. That means that company websites, Monster, CareerBuilder and Google should only be the start of your job search.
About 17% of jobs are filled by recruiters in agencies. Better than the internet, but where else can you look? A whopping 70% of jobs are filled by networking. The rest are filled by newspaper ads, radio, TV, schools, etc.
The internet is a great place to find companies that may want to hire you. But, don’t just look for perfect jobs already listed. Look for companies that could use your skills. Then network your way in to the 70% of jobs that never make it to a company website or internet job board.
If you were a manager, would you like to hire someone recommended to you by your top engineer? Sure! So make a list of companies that could use your skills. Then put your networking list beside it. Your networking list should include agency recruiters you trust to help you with their 17% of the jobs. Who in your network knows someone in those companies?
Now, call up those people and ask them what they know about XYZ company. What have they heard? Do they know someone working there? Does that person like it there? Can you call the person at that company to see what they have to say? Can they forward your resume?
One other way to talk to the right person at a company is to call in and ask. Ask the receptionist, “Who is in charge of programming?” Sometimes you’ll get that manager. Often you’ll be put through to Human Resources (HR). That’s fine. Send them your resume. Just remember, HR is the last to know when there is an opening. So ask for the manager of the area you want to talk to first. You may get lucky.
Use your 30 second commercial when you talk to HR or a hiring manager. What’s a 30 second commercial? I guess we had better cover that tomorrow.
The other thing you can do is to network for information, giving and getting. That will have to be another day.
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Something To Do Today
Remember that networking list? Better take a look at that again. Contact three people you want to network with. Do it today.