Interview Chatter

Why Social Networking?

by Darlene McDaniel on June 17th, 2008

I have spent time working with job seekers over the last month who are struggling to find a job in a difficult economy. Let me address the issue of how difficult it is to find a job. It is hard, and maybe even frustrating, but it is not impossible. You can find a job, you will find a job, if you take the time to develop a solid plan. But I am somewhat off track -

Why Social Networking? Because just sitting at home and sending hundreds of resumes out by way of email or job boards will not get you a job - especially if you are out of work and you really need a job.

Why Social Networking? Networking opens doors to organizations you may not otherwise ever open on your talents, skills and abilities.

Why Social Networking? Because relationships - especially second degree relationships act as a bridge into organizations.

I met with a lady yesterday afternoon. She has been unemployed for well over a month and maybe longer. She is very discouraged right now. She has been sending resumes for weeks and no one, ABSOLUTELY no one has called her back for an interview. What I shared with her, gave her new focus and she made a new commitment to attack her job search from a different perspective. At first when I suggested networking, she sort of looked at me and said, “but I don’t know anyone. How do I network?” I know better, I know she knows people. And so do you. Here is it in a nutshell:

I asked her what she wants to do. When she told me her desire, she was also able to tell me how she has “informally” worked in the industry that she has a desire to work in. As she explained her “informal experience”, I knew who to recommend to her, as far as networking. She is interested in working in the school district. She is not a teacher, but she has been an advocate for children. She has been advocate on more than one or two occasions. She has actually done it alot. So, I suggested that she contact the people she has worked with. Give them a call and ask for a 30 minute meeting. Have lunch or not, but meet with them. Ask for their wisdom, and recommendations. Tell them what you are interested in doing and ask who they know that may be able to assist her in transitioning to her interest of becoming and advocate for children. It will work. As we discussed a tentative plan to re-energize her job search, she began to get ideas about who else she could call.

You can do it too! If all you do every day all day is sit at the computer and push send, to send your resume to various organizations, you are not maximizing your time, and energy. Am I telling you to stop sending your resume? Nope! But I am saying to target the arrows, your resume. Make sure you are sending to to someone who may actually look at it. In the job search game of life, most organizations keep a database of resumes they receive. There is no one on the other end receiving and looking at every resume that is sent. The databases are designed to find you based on keywords. If you don’t have the keywords in your resume, you may never be found. Kind of like a black hole. That is unacceptable.

Why Social Networking? Because it is one of the best ways to find the right job for you in the tight job market today. Get out and meet people. Use LinkedIn, and Facebook they are excellent resources for the beginner.

If you have been wallowing in self-pity today. Get up, shake yourself off - Get dressed and go find someone you can help. I promise, that what you sow, you will reap. Who can you be a resource for today? In finding yourself connecting people to people, people will begin to connect people to you!

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