Sometimes it IS who you know and not WHAT you know! I cannot say enough about the importance of networking. It is, simply put, personal interaction with individuals who know more about a prospective company than you do to accomplish two objectives:
1. Educate yourself about the company.
2. Make a recommendation to the company on your behalf.
How to network:
1. Ask family, friends, instructors and co-workers who they know who works for the company.
The closest contact you make may be the friend of a friend of a relative. That's o.k. Write an email or make a call, citing the name of who you have in common and ask away. Your task is to learn and/or develop a rapport with this individual that may serve you well down the road.
2. Ask company officials for the names of individuals to talk with personally.
If the company is interested in hiring you, they will provide this. If you meet a recruiter at a job fair on campus, get their business card and follow-up with them by phone with questions about the company.
3. Ask people you know who work for the company to make personal referrals on your behalf.
Current employees have instant credibility. As a recruiter, I take seriously any recommendations that are made to me personally by employees whether I know them or not. After all, they are considered a fit for the company and therefore have the basis for understanding who else would be a fit.
4. If available, take advantage of an executive recruiter.
Many of these recruiters operate on a commission basis with the hiring companies at no cost to you. That means they get paid if you get hired. They can be a great source for information on the company, jobs being posted, etc. and can facilitate getting you an interview. I recommend you ask others for recruiters they have used vs. finding them on the internet. Many will pester you for years once they have their hooks into you.
Recommendations should contain each of the following:
1. Your name and the job you are applying for.
2. How the individual knows you.
3. Your most relevant background experience (see skills and capabilities section).
4. Specifically why the individual feels you would be a good fit for the company.
Don't be shy. You should write out this information for the person you are asking to recommend you. Be sure to point out that this is meant to assist them, but you would appreciate anything they have to say about you in way of a recommendation. If they agree to recommend you, it will all be positive.
Above all, do not underestimate the importance of networking. It is an integral part of your job search and should get as much attention as your resume and interview.
George Stillwell is the father of five children ages 2 through 16. He is also a senior executive at one of the top consumer products companies in the world. He writes on subjects that range from effective parenting to employment/career development. His popular web sites include: http://www.parentingskills21stcentury.com and http://www.youaremarketable.com
