You have probably already heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Unfortunately, this may be the case when it comes to finding a job, especially in this tough economy and even harsher job market. It seems that, these days, you really need to know someone, or at least have some sort of connection to an executive or hiring manager in an organisation, in order for you to get your foot into the door.
With so much competition out there when it comes to finding employment, it is time to put the people in your life to work for you in helping you land the job of your dreams. If you have been going it alone this entire time, consider enlisting the help of some people you know. After all, you never know who they may be connected to, and you never know what great things can happen until you try.
Start with Friends and Family
Let your friends and family know that you are out of work and that you are seeking a new position. You may need to put your pride aside, but with so many people out of work these days, there is really nothing to be ashamed of if you are unemployed. Just putting the word out and asking people to keep their eyes and ears open for potential opportunities within the field, or fields, you are interested in may result in someone having just the right information for you at the most opportune moment. But if you keep your job hunt a secret, the task of finding a new position will be on your shoulders only, and because job hunting is pretty exhausting, you may get burned out and miss a chance you would have loved to have taken.
Ask for Positive Referrals from Previous Employers and Co-Workers
Take advantage of the people with whom you used to work by asking them to provide you with positive letters of recommendation, or ask them if they would be willing to take phone calls from prospective employers who are looking for references from your old jobs once you submit applications. As long as you are confident that they will have nothing but good things to say about you, take advantage of whatever positive feedback you can get that will prove to potential employers that you are worth hiring.
Talk to People who are Already Employed
If you know friends and family members who are working in large or small businesses that may potentially need extra help at any point in time, let them know that you are interested in working there. When a job opens up, they can put in a good word for you and you can submit an application knowing that you have someone on the inside that is making sure to speak up on your behalf. It may be enough to get you an interview, and then you can take it from there and prove how much you are worth.
