Whether unhappy in your present position, or currently “between opportunities”, you owe it to yourself to find the job that's right for you; one where you can be your best, and which in turn will reward you appropriately for your efforts.
Done correctly, the process is not as complicated as you might expect. If you have a job already, it can help relieve any stress by providing focus; and if you don't have a job, you do now.
Step 1 - Networking
First and foremost – never send your résumé to a company as they will rarely respond, because the truth is they usually have someone in mind already. Networking is key; it’s not what you know, but who you know. To go about it correctly, you must talk to people face to face.
Start by thinking of all the people you know who might know someone in the particular industry you are interested in; friends, trustworthy work colleagues, family members, teachers, waiters etc. Keep a list of the people they suggest and get their permission to call those people. This is your contacts list and will grow with time.
Step 2 - The Call
Pick someone from your contacts list, and make a call. Practise on a friend first if you’re nervous. When you speak to the contact, introduce yourself and tell them who gave you their name. Say that you're interested in researching companies in your specific industry to broaden your horizons, and that their company is of interest to you.
Then request a lunch meeting for an hour maximum so it won't disrupt their workday too much (you pay of course), to ask them some questions about their role and their business. Be positive and confident; the worst they can say is no, but most people will give time to an interested, enthusiastic person, if only to relieve their own tedium at work. If they do insist on not meeting you, ask if they know anyone else who could give you insight. And so your contacts list grows.
Step 3 - The Meeting
Be prepared. When you go to the meeting, have questions about the individual’s role and the business they’re in. Be engaging, talk about yourself where appropriate, but don't overdo it.
It is imperative that you are genuinely interested in the company by doing your research, just as you would for an interview. Bring a few résumés in your bag just in case you are asked (but don’t hand them out), and dress smartly to maintain a level of professionalism. The goal is to make a good enough first impression so that when a position becomes available, they will think of you first. Occasionally, when the impression is very good, a position might appear that fits your skills even when one is not currently open.
At the end of the meeting, pay the bill, thank them for their time, and ask if they know of anyone who might be able to speak to you about other companies. And so your contacts list grows.
Step 4 - Follow Up
Make sure after a couple of days you follow up. Write a thank you email or call to say how much you appreciated their time, and ask again if they can think of anyone else that might be interested in talking to you. All of these dates and timelines should be noted in your contacts list - how the meeting went, what you thought of the company and the person, who else they recommended.
Step 5 - Repeat
Now move to the next contact on your list. Challenge yourself to find alternative avenues to build contacts. Take pleasure in meeting new people while at the same time learning about your career needs. In no time you will be presented with employment opportunities that you will have to give careful consideration to. Ultimately it is not simply about an employer finding another body or you taking the first opportunity, but about the development of a mutual respect between employer and employee which will reward both parties to the fullest potential in their working relationship.
I would wish you the best of luck, but honestly, I know you won’t need it.
William Humphries likes to write, and has been unemployed before. He is trained as a mechanical engineer and is currently working in the aerospace industry. He found his current job and his two previous jobs using the techniques described above. He has also edited a book about one room schoolhouses for local author Joy Forbes, and builds websites as a hobby. You can see some of his work at www.oneroomschoolhouses.ca, www.hardycoaching.com and his own editing website, www.willpoweredediting.com
Done correctly, the process is not as complicated as you might expect. If you have a job already, it can help relieve any stress by providing focus; and if you don't have a job, you do now.
Step 1 - Networking
First and foremost – never send your résumé to a company as they will rarely respond, because the truth is they usually have someone in mind already. Networking is key; it’s not what you know, but who you know. To go about it correctly, you must talk to people face to face.
Start by thinking of all the people you know who might know someone in the particular industry you are interested in; friends, trustworthy work colleagues, family members, teachers, waiters etc. Keep a list of the people they suggest and get their permission to call those people. This is your contacts list and will grow with time.
Step 2 - The Call
Pick someone from your contacts list, and make a call. Practise on a friend first if you’re nervous. When you speak to the contact, introduce yourself and tell them who gave you their name. Say that you're interested in researching companies in your specific industry to broaden your horizons, and that their company is of interest to you.
Then request a lunch meeting for an hour maximum so it won't disrupt their workday too much (you pay of course), to ask them some questions about their role and their business. Be positive and confident; the worst they can say is no, but most people will give time to an interested, enthusiastic person, if only to relieve their own tedium at work. If they do insist on not meeting you, ask if they know anyone else who could give you insight. And so your contacts list grows.
Step 3 - The Meeting
Be prepared. When you go to the meeting, have questions about the individual’s role and the business they’re in. Be engaging, talk about yourself where appropriate, but don't overdo it.
It is imperative that you are genuinely interested in the company by doing your research, just as you would for an interview. Bring a few résumés in your bag just in case you are asked (but don’t hand them out), and dress smartly to maintain a level of professionalism. The goal is to make a good enough first impression so that when a position becomes available, they will think of you first. Occasionally, when the impression is very good, a position might appear that fits your skills even when one is not currently open.
At the end of the meeting, pay the bill, thank them for their time, and ask if they know of anyone who might be able to speak to you about other companies. And so your contacts list grows.
Step 4 - Follow Up
Make sure after a couple of days you follow up. Write a thank you email or call to say how much you appreciated their time, and ask again if they can think of anyone else that might be interested in talking to you. All of these dates and timelines should be noted in your contacts list - how the meeting went, what you thought of the company and the person, who else they recommended.
Step 5 - Repeat
Now move to the next contact on your list. Challenge yourself to find alternative avenues to build contacts. Take pleasure in meeting new people while at the same time learning about your career needs. In no time you will be presented with employment opportunities that you will have to give careful consideration to. Ultimately it is not simply about an employer finding another body or you taking the first opportunity, but about the development of a mutual respect between employer and employee which will reward both parties to the fullest potential in their working relationship.
I would wish you the best of luck, but honestly, I know you won’t need it.
William Humphries likes to write, and has been unemployed before. He is trained as a mechanical engineer and is currently working in the aerospace industry. He found his current job and his two previous jobs using the techniques described above. He has also edited a book about one room schoolhouses for local author Joy Forbes, and builds websites as a hobby. You can see some of his work at www.oneroomschoolhouses.ca, www.hardycoaching.com and his own editing website, www.willpoweredediting.com
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