#JobSearch #Friday Different Networking Perspective to Find a Job

By RecruiterGuy | May 29, 2020

Many people are intimidated by networking to find a new job. Let us look at networking from a different perspective.

What DIFFERENT Perspective?

Remember when you were a child, and a sibling, cousin, or friend had something that you wanted? What did you do? You asked, “Where’d ya get Dat?”

You have networked All of your life! You just did not know it had a name. If you went to college, did you ask friends which professor offered the best course? That is networking.

Have you asked friends or acquaintances recommendations for restaurants, mechanics, doctors/dentists, movies, real estate professionals, etc.? You are on vacation and ask locals (or the hotel concierge) where they recommend you eat, visit, or see. All of these are methods to gain information via networking.

NOW Is The Time To Network For A Job

We are in a global pandemic that in a few short months has killed over 100,000 Americans. At last count, over 39 million workers are out of work – and you are one of them.

Too many of those professionals are desperate and are trying to find a job via the Internet. Did you know that over the past 11 years only 8% of all jobs annually were filled by applying online (Career Transition industry statistic)? Between 74% to 76% of all jobs are filled through NETWORKING.

Where are you spending your valuable job search time? Completing applications online or networking for a job?

Several months ago, I met with a friend over lunch to discuss networking to a new job for my new book, Expect Success! The Art Of The Over 50 Job Search. He created a list of positions he worked since 1983. Except for one job, Vic networked into every position. Oh, and the one job he posted for was the worst of his career.

Over the years, you have met and worked with many people. Most of whom would be delighted to help you in your search for a new company. Unfortunately, you have not yet called them. Why not?

FEAR

You have lots of company. Many professionals I have coached tell me they are afraid to network. They have their excuses not to network:

“I don’t want to bother other people;”
“I do not know who to call;”
“I feel guilty calling them;”
“They would not want to help me;”
“They do not know anyone in my field;”
“I just moved from another state and do not know anyone here (Big Smile, thinking they trumped my coaching!);”
“My company was the only one in this state where I can do this work (So…will you move or find a new position using your transferable skills…or, what is your plan?);” and the list goes on.

All of these excuses are based on fear. What is the best way to fight your fears? Face Fear head-on! You can do this!

How do I Face Networking FEAR Head-on?

These are the steps that I recommend:

Create a spreadsheet of over 500 people that you somehow know – Family, Friends, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Former Co-workers, Former Managers, Vendors who worked with you, Sales Professionals, Professionals who linked with you on LinkedIn, etc. The list will grow quickly.
Develop an approach to them. You may know it as a One Minute Commercial or Elevator speech. In my 3 books on How To Find A Job, I call it your “Here I AM!” speech. Initially, write your speech as a script. Later, you will tailor it for each person. Ensure you discuss what you are passionate about doing. This is the format –

For 30 seconds, discuss your experience with one or two accomplishments, then create your bridge – Why are you looking for a new position? Finally, for 20 seconds, discuss what you would like to do next. Then ask the person “Who do you feel I should speak with next?” (Do Not ask them to “Think”! They will think for weeks). If you ask them who do you feel, you receive a knee jerk reaction – and they give you a name – or better, introduce you to their contact (If you ask them to do so).

Practice your script with Family and Friends. Simply call two of them per day for two weeks. Ask them for their recommendations to improve your “Here I AM!” script. Incorporate the improvements on each call.
After two weeks, simply add two more calls per day to your list. If you faithfully call and speak with only 4 people per day, you will find a job in 90 days (on average). Remember, I said CALL, not email nor text.

What Is The Purpose of “Here I AM!” Speech

If I am not asking if their companies have any openings, what is the purpose of my “Here I AM!” speech?

The purpose of your “Here I AM” speech is twofold:

Let your network connection know your availability and ask who they know you should meet; and,
The Bonus comes when they ask you, “Are you speaking with us?” This opens the door for you to say, “No. Whom should I speak with? Will you introduce me?

How Do I Find a Job In 90 Days?

Career Transition industry metrics over the past 45 years demonstrate that when a jobseeker faithfully calls (not email/text) and speaks with 4 new networking connections daily, on average they will find a new position that may be better than the one they had previously within 90 days.

In over 25 years of coaching professionals, clients who call and speak with 4 new networking connections per day accept an offer within 90 days (on average).

This proves the old maxim true – “It’s Not What you know, it’s Who you know!”

If you want or need to accelerate your #Jobsearch, please immediately click on this link to my recent book, Employee 5.0: Secrets Of A Successful Job Search In The New World Order – http://amzn.to/2D9w39f My book contains the 12 Steps to find a new position in a nice, orderly fashion. It also has the stories of people who did well – and some who did not. You may learn from both sides.

See you on Fridays!

Bill Humbert is available for Speaking, Talent Attraction Consulting, Career Transition Consulting, and Training contracts.

RecruiterGuy@msn.com 435-714-4425

https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/speaker/profile/23767/Bill-Humbert

USA 01-435-714-4425 RecruiterGuy@msn.com