Research and Networking as part of your Job Search

Most of know that the best way to get your foot in the door to interviewing opportunities is to find out who the decision maker is.

That can sometimes seem nearly impossible, especially when the vacancy announcement states “no phone calls” or gives a vague address such as, “Marketing Position/P O Box 1234.”  Here’s a few ways to track down the company name, and impress your next employer with your research skills in the process. 

• If the listing gives a PO Box listing, go to Google and punch in the listing i.e. PO Box [number] [ suburb].  See what comes up.

• If the company name is listed, call the  main number and ask the  name of the department head for the position you are seeking.  Don’t forget to ask how to correctly spell the name.  While you’re on the phone, ask for their email address.  You can’t “get” if you don’t “ask.”

• Check out the company’s website and see if they offer an “about us” section.  Review their company ethos.  This will enable you to target your cover letter and even your resume in a way relevant to that company, a definite head start on others flying blind with their application.

Sometimes, companies are vague because they want to weed out the lazy applicants and avoid a million phone calls.  Tracking down information shows you are resourceful and diligent.  These are many of the qualities that today’s employers seek in candidates.

Never Eat Alone – Networking Secrets

Take note of these ‘secrets to success’ adapted from Keith Ferazzi’s bestselling book, Never Alone: And other Secrets to Success, One Relationship At A Time.  Keith is an acknowledge master networker so best to take heed:

1. You Can’t Get There Alone.  For each and every thing you want to achieve in life – whether it’s landing a job, earning a raise or promotion, or finding lifelong romance – there’ll be at least one person on the other end making decisions.  Everything we do can only be accomplished through and with other people.  Simply put, success, of any kind, requires relationships.

2. Business Relationships are Personal Relationships.  The most common mistake people make when building relationships for career success is treating business contacts differently than personal friends.  Just think for a moment about the people you work with on a professional level who are also close personal friends.  Aren’t they always more forgiving when you slip up and more helpful when you’re in need?  Of course!  I guarantee your work will become easier and more joyful if you make more of your business relationships personal.

3. Find Your Blue Flame.  The more focused your aspirations are, the more everyone will conspire to help you.  Commit time to deep introspection and find your Blue Flame, the thing in life that that really lights your fire.  Write, pray, whatever you need to do to clear your head and figure this stuff out.  Do whatever it takes for you to discover and articulate what you really want, so you don’t make the common mistake of networking just to network.

4. Have a good RAP.  To be successful, you’ve got to go beyond simply setting goals.  You need a Relationship Action Plan (RAP).  Here’s a simple way to get started.  First, write down your goals.  Then, next to each goal, write the names and types of people who can help you achieve them.  Think of (and be sure to take notes!) how you can reach those people and how you can contribute to their success, also.

5. Build it before you need it.  I can’t tell you how many times a friend has called me and said “Keith, I just became unemployed.  I need to start networking; will you teach me how?”  My answer: “No.  No.  No.  You need to start job-hunting!  You should have been building relationships for the past five or ten years, so now that you need a job, you could make twenty calls and have five job offers waiting for you within a week.”  The lesson: Start building those relationships today!

6. Don’t be a networking jerk.  When I give talks to college and grad students, they always ask me, What are the secrets to success?  What are the unspoken rules for making it big?  “So you want the inside scoop,” I respond.  “Fair enough.  I’ll sum up the key to success in one word.  Generosity.”  The kids are shocked because they thought I’d help them learn the manipulative tricks of the self-centred “networker,” the one holding a martini with one hand, and scattering business cards with the other.  But the time of that Networking Jerk is over!  Remember that the #1 key to success is generosity.  Give your talents, give your contacts, and give your hard work to make others successful without keeping score.

7. Be interesting.  While I would say that your relationships are the most critical piece of your personal brand, before you can develop those relationships you've got to have something to save.  Just having two arms, two legs and an MBA won't get you anywhere anymore.  If you want to become more valuable in the marketplace and more intriguing to the world at large, you must develop some deep expertise in your mind and root some higher-order passion your heart.