Today, I received what feels like my 3 millionth request for somebody to look in my network to help them find a job.
And these requests come from people who I don’t know. And many times, this is my first contact with these people. I understand that looking for a job is stressful. I understand that trying to find a job to the pay the rent is important. But, I also have things that are important to me to accomplish.
I assume I am not alone in this.
But, that being said, I want to help people find a job, and I know LinkedIn is becoming the single most effective way for people to find jobs, business partners, and other types of connections.
Here is what I recommend that somebody looking for a job do.
- Decide what kind of work you want to do, Make sure you have a clear goal described. For example: “I want to be the Manager of Internet Marketing for a company doing 400 million in sales. The company should be located in Boston or vicinity, and less than 45 minute commute.The company must be selling electronic equipment for consumers ” While this seems to restrict the amount of potential companies, it in fact, makes it easier to find that company.
- The next step is to decide who can help you reach that goal. Not the name – but a description of what the people do and where they might live, etc. In the example, I would be looking for recruiters who focus on placing marketing executives in Boston. A second target would be VP’s of Marketing for large companies in electronic companies in Boston. I am sure a little thought, and you can find a number of other categories of people.
- The next step would be to watch my course Seven Ways to Generate Business With LinkedIn. This would give me a whole number of ideas about how to use LinkedIn to find contacts in LinkedIn world and some ways to go about it.
- Then use LinkedIn to find the correct contact the people in the most effective way – which is probably via telephone. I would have a conversation with them, understand their needs. Don’t ask about a job – ask about what is happening with the industry. Have a discussion with the person. Tell them you are looking for a job – use the description you created in Step 1. If you are a match and there is an opening – the contact on the phone will say – send me a resume – or say “Hey – Call Bob at XYZ he may have an opening.“
- If you are going to contact a recruiter – which you should – make sure your e-mail or introduction is two paragraphs in length. One is the description of the kind of job you are looking for. The second paragraph describes EXACTLY why you are qualified for that job. A good recruiter only needs one minute to decide if you are a fit for a client she is looking for. If you are not – the recruiter will ignore you. Don’t worry – if she does have a client that meets your needs, she will find you.
- There are thousands of recruiters on LinkedIn – Don’t you think one of them has a job for you? Only small underfunded companies don’t use recruiters. Some do use in-house recruiters. But, they are the effectively the same as independents.
- NEVER EVER SEND OUT OUT A RESUME to people in your LinkedIn Network and say ‘Do you know somebody in your network that can hire me?“. You are telling me, you are too lazy to find your own job.
This article is part of the 66 Day Job Club. A free Virtual Job Club.
Click here to learn more about the club.
Keyword Related posts:
