The majority of hiring happens through referrals!
Are you spending the bulk of your job search hours connecting with people? I know most of you are not. You spend the majority of your time submitting online applications and tweaking your resume for submission. STOP IT TODAY!
When I was working with one job seeker, he asked what advice I had to help him improve his job search. Simple I said, I forbid you from applying for any more jobs. Go talk to people instead!
A friend sent me this article from the Wall Street Journal, quite a fascinating read! Job-Hunt Tips from the Depression-Era Playbook.
During the Great Depression, unemployment was above 24%. (And we’re complaining about 9%, jeez!) Many were able to find work or created work. This article tells the tales of some of the survivors of the depression. Read and learn!
The article also sites a paper presented at the Brookings Institution this March by Princeton economist Alan Krueger and Columbia Business School’s Andreas Mueller. In their survey of over 6000 job seekers, this is what they found:
The body of proof is out there across so many studies…people prefer to interview and hire people they know or whom are referred by people they know. You can argue the unfairness, but the facts are the facts!
For the next 30 days, I challenge you to drastically change how you are spending your time! If you are unemployed, you should be spending at least 35 hours a week in job search related activities! Finding a job is a full time job.
It will take time and great effort on your part to make this transition. Be patient. You won’t feel immediate gratification. Here are some thoughts on how you can begin to make this happen:
- Schedule time weekly to meet with people either via phone or in person (get a calendar, you are going to need it!)
- Be sure you contact ALL your friends and family on a regular basis you remind them you are still looking with suggestions on how to help.
- Contact all you past supervisors and managers to let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Get in touch with past colleagues, vendors, and supplies and let them know. Remember to touch base with them regularly from now on.
- Turn every activity into an opportunity to meet new people- build relationships.
- Attend professional association meetings or conferences or chamber of commerce events to meet people within your target companies.
- Embrace the power of social media/networking to begin building new relationships!
Phew!
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
