Networking and Job Searching

[han-grrl]

I just wanted to post my experience on my job search this past fall. I'll keep it short (maybe)...

first i set my goal. I wanted to get a job by December 2007. Then I went to work. I contacted a friend of a friend who offered to give me some advice a few months back. I decided to take him up on his offer. He gave me some tips and some people to talk to. In the mean time, I applied to jobs. Some posted on boards, some I just emailed the appropriate person. I networked with some of the people that my new friend had given me. more advice. Learning what people are doing. While networking I was able to practice my interview skills, as well as really figure out what job I wanted (or what i wanted out of a career). Keep applying to jobs.

Then a few calls came in. A couple of interviews. Many "thanks but no thanks" via email. Not surprisingly. But one interesting one. Because that person sent the no thanks email. Then called me. He said he had spoken with his colleagues and they would like to meet me. Ummm. Ok. Then a second interview then...a job offer! Holy cow! So from a no thanks email to a full job offer. Which came...first week of December.

So my bits of advice

1) set your goal - time as well as type of job. Keep in mind jobs that might be "stepping stones" for your ideal job.
2) Network. ask your friends who they know. Talk to people. Don't think about "asking for a job", they know you are looking, but i found people were a lot more open to talking to me when i said i wanted to know what THEY did because I wanted to figure out what my career options were. If there is an opening, they will let you know, or at the very least, they will see what they can find out for you. I even emailed someone I didn't even know and they agreed to a phone meeting so that i can talk to them about their work.
3) If there is a company you want to work for, find out who to talk to and send an email directly to them. Hey, my job that i start in a couple of weeks, wasn't posted, and i was even told them didn't have any openings. So you never know!

Ok, i promised to keep it short, so i'll leave it there for now.

believe in your vision

Hannah

[Eden]

The job I just started (and really love) was a total networking fluke...
I happened to be at the velodrome one night and one of my teammates was volunteering there. It was pretty late by the time everything was taken down so my husband and I offered her a ride home (otherwise she would have had to bus/bike and it was around 10:30pm already) On the way I, jokingly mentioned that I was thinking about getting back into the job market soon. Now I have an unusual job - I'm a medical photographer, so its not like jobs are particularly abundant. But hey, she worked at a hospital, never mind that it was as a commuter coordinator. Amazingly she said she might know of something . She emailed me a contact and I sent off some emails.

Low and behold here I am a few months later, working at a great job. And yup the position was never posted. It was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time.

[han-grrl]

Isn't it amazing how once you open up your intentions (like looking for a job) how the universe can give back? One must be open, patient and positive.

[tulip]

han-grrl,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It couldn't come at a better time for me. I work for myself, but I really, really need to network to get more projects coming in. I'm not a natural networker; I'd rather just stay home and work and not have to go get work! But your advice of setting a goal and working towards it in small steps is, of course, pretty basic stuff but really great! I really need the reminder now. I'm off to set my goal and make my plan. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks again, and congratulations on the job.

Eden--what a neat thing you do, medical photography! I bet you see some interesting things...

[shadon]

I've been out of work since May, temping when I can get it. Living cheap and pet sitting are keeping me afloat.

So....anyone looking for office help? Answer your phones, put together your mailings?

Your idea of setting a goal date is a good one!

[LBTC]

What a nice, uplifting story to share! I'm so glad for you, and so glad that you shared it with us! Thank you!

I'm considering doing the same thing now. I have a potential offer in the works, but the company continues to work on a re-org and my position would be new when the re-org happens. And I don't know if he'll offer enough money to leave my well paid well benefited current job. I should know something by the end of this month, but I'm starting to think I should do more networking just in case.

And, of course, this type of networking would be great for my photo business. I, too, am not a natural at it, and would rather depend on DH to do that part for me. The days, weeks, months go by, and it's becoming apparent that I'm going to have to do some of this networking myself. Darn.

Your post was so positive, though, that I've got a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you so much!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[alpinerabbit]

I applied to the same company twice in 6 months. This is a gig of 20 people or so, and the boss does the interviewing.

I always thought if they reject you once they will remember you.

They don't. First time I got a no thank you e-mail, this time I was invited.
And I got the job. I think they were in a hurry to sign someone and advertised middle of summer. So, fewer applicants.
I got a break into a job where they always, always ask for experience, however, you are not born with it. So don't believe everything they write in an ad, it is just a wishlist. If all you are lacking is experience and they ask for less than 3 years of it, go for it.
But I had to be patient and at times I didn't believe it would ever work out.

oh and I don't do paper anymore if there's an e-mail addy. And call them, and don't be shy about calling back.

p.s. 3 weeks after I handed in my resignation, the old company (multinational, pharma) announced they would shut down our entire group. So I got really lucky. I had no drop dead date to get a job by, so I could choose where to send my cv. In total it took about 9 months. If I had gotten the pink slip from "old gig" I could not have waited for the real thing to come along.

Oh. pps. if you do not get an offer although you are getting interviews, there may be something wrong with your interviewing skills. It's a game and you have to know the rules, that's my take on it.