You've studied all the right stuff in school, you've taken the personality profile tests, you've sent out so many resumes that your friends start referring to you as Monster.com, but you still can't land that dream job.
Have you tried calling up someone at the company where you want to work, or someone who is in the field you're trying to enter and offered to buy them lunch?
If you have, then congratulations, you're already in the know.
If not, give yourself a quick "bad dog!" whack yourself with a rolled-up newspaper, then read on...
People used to ask me all the time "how did you end up selling pharmaceuticals with a degree in English Literature?" The answer is simple. When I decided I wanted to get into the drug business, I tracked down the names & numbers of people in my area who worked in the industry, then I called them and asked if I could buy them lunch. Nearly 100% of the time, they said yes.
I'll let you in on a little secret that they should teach in college - everyone, regardless of their income, loves a free lunch.
Here's the trick - before I met with them, I did my homework. I researched their company, I read up on industry news, and I had thoughtful and insightful questions prepared ahead of time. Doing this showed that I was interested in them, their work, and their company. When you display that type of interest & that level of preparation, people remember you... and when their boss informs them that the company is hiring in your area, whose name do you think they mention first?
Every high paying job I've been offered has been a direct result of this type of networking.
So, what have we learned?
1. Find the names & numbers of people doing the job you want to be doing (you may have to be creative to do this, but that's ok)
2. Call them & ask them to lunch
3. Ask insightful questions (not just "is your job hard?" or "are you making sick G's?)
4. Let them teach you
5. Ask them what you, as a job seeker in their industry, can do to get "a foot in the door"
6. Always, always, always send a thank-you note
As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and profound revelations.
-The Gradvisor
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Great post! I would also recommend students reach out to Alumni in their area. Your school should have a directory of Alums, in all kinds of fields, who are more than willing to speak to you.
ReplyDeleteI have been contacted numerous times by students in my area looking for work in my field. I am more than happy to meet with them, answer questions or review their resumes and give feedback.
If you don't ask, you won't get help! Like the Gradvisor says "Everybody likes a free lunch"