Career Inspirations 

Welcome to Career Inspirations, GMG’s Internet Radio Broadcast.

Your host is Sharon Graham, Canada’s Career Strategist. Take a few minutes and listen to Sharon’s thoughts on career excellence and innovation. Click the play button above or right click here to:
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 Current Broadcast:

Use targeted networking to accelerate your six-figure job search

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If you’re a six-figure professional, targeted networking is your competitive advantage. Contrary to popular opinion, I believe that this kind of networking doesn’t require any more effort than you’re already spending.

If you’re in a job search now, you’re probably painstakingly applying to postings that are advertised in the open market. Consider the hours and hours you spend each day trying to find good jobs on the internet and in the papers. You customize your resume and cover letter and then e-mail your package off to recruiters – only to hear nothing back from anyone. Then, not to be stymied by the lack of response, I’ll bet that you apply the very same strategy the next morning, and the next, to find the very same results. Soon all you can unearth are the same old positions on the internet. What a frustrating process this must be. What if you knew how to break out of this cycle and start to receive positive reinforcement right away?

I’m going to show you how to tap into the hidden job market, but I’m not going to ask you to focus on traditional networking. I guess that one way to tap into the hidden job market is to approach your current network. Honestly, I’m tired of well intentioned practitioners telling job seekers that networking is connecting with existing friends, neighbours, and colleagues. This is a very narrow approach to networking. If anyone in your immediate network knew about a good job, wouldn’t they have already told you about it?

Don’t get me wrong, keeping your immediate network informed is a good strategy, but there is even a better one. If you really want to accelerate your job search, you must go past your comfort zone. Target leaders and experts in your industry. If you make solid relationships with people who are “in the know” and who know the right people, you will exponentially expand your network.

If you make an effort to research and approach knowledgeable and influential people, you are likely to learn more and gain more in your job search. Plus, if your new contact puts in a good word for you, it will be much more meaningful, because hiring decision makers will greatly value their referral.

Once you have researched the cream of the crop, then pick up the phone. Start to make in-roads with them. Remember that true networking is “give and take” and you must focus on the “give” part. If you approach your new contacts with a “take” attitude, you might never get a chance to develop a strong sharing relationship. Learn what each new contact might need from you and make every effort to supply that. If you truly come from a position of generosity and helpfulness, your relationship will blossom into a friendship.

There are many ways to increase your exposure by sharing with people you want to get closer to. How about responding to their blogs? You’ll find that people are very grateful when someone takes the time to read and respond to their blog with good, useful information. Another way to establish yourself and start targeted networking is to respond to influential people on industry forums and e-lists. Give them the best advice you have to resolve situations they are encountering. When you help people, they naturally want to help back. Plus, you’ll develop your reputation as a leader in your area of expertise.

You can establish your presence in many ways. How about actively participating in your industry’s professional association? If you volunteer your talents, the association’s “inner circle” will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of your expertise.

As you develop your relationship, express your career objectives and value proposition clearly. You need to make it easy for your contacts to understand your value, and to introduce you to others in their network.

Don’t ever put yourself behind the eight ball again. Targeted networking is a lifelong process of developing relationships with the right people. It’s not a “quick fix,” but if you don’t start now, you might be in the very same position a year from now. There’s no time like the present. Once you start to see your new relationships blossom, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

 
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