Turning Personal Connections into Gainful Employment – Networking for Jobs 101

If you were to ask a group of random employers what is their best source of ‘great employees,’ the largest percentage of them would say referrals. Referrals are typically those hires that are sent to them through current or former employees of the company, friends of employees or through community organizations. This is the same at TeleTech. The largest percentage of TeleTech new hires come from the group of people that have been referred into work at TeleTech, especially by current employees, than from any other single resource.

Why do referrals work for businesses?

Referrals tend to be a great resource for employers for a variety of reasons. The two primary reasons that it works is:

• The employee probably already has some basic idea about the job (from their friend or family member)
• And they already have built a personal relationship with a future coworker.

How Can You Get Referred?

Armed with the knowledge that a majority of employers tend to look favorably upon candidates that are referred into them, how can you benefit from this knowledge? Through networking. Some think of networking as going to a business after hours and shaking hands or to a professional meeting. This is a part of it, but there is so much more. And those that learn to effectively use their network, will score more interviews and ultimately a stronger position.

Networking in its simplest form is just talking to other people and learning ways that you might be able to benefit them (either today or in the future) and that they might be able to benefit you. Every one of us already has a network, though some are larger than others. Your first level network consists of all the people that you know. This can include friends, family members, teachers, community members that you might come into contact with, and more. Your second level network is all of the people that they know and so on. Social media has expanded this even further to include anyone within several degrees of your ‘friends’ or ‘connections.’

What’s the best way to utilize your network?

The most common mistake with those that are networking for their next job is to just reach out and let everyone know that you may be looking for a job. While you certainly want to market that to your friends and family, this does not help your network help you. It is in our nature as humans to want to help our fellow man. So make it easy for your network members to help you. Here’s some simple steps to getting referred into your next employer.

• Know Yourself — Be very clear to yourself what type of work you are seeking. While it may sound enthusiastic to say, “I’ll do anything.” Interviewers know this is not really the case, nor are you qualified for just anything. Be ready to define the types of skills you have, the types of jobs you are willing to do, and how you could have a positive impact on a potential employer.

• Be Specific — Related to the first, be specific about not only the types of jobs you are interested in, but also the employers. If you find a job through another source, like a job board, reach out to your network. Do you know someone or someone that knows someone that works for that employer? Then ask to be referred into the employer. This also goes back to human nature. Once we are happily employed, we may not even realize what opportunities are available within our own employer. Make it easy for your network to refer you by letting them know that you say a position listed that you have an interest in. Send them your resume and ask for an introduction either to the hiring manager or the recruiter in charge of that area.

• Do The Paperwork — Online applications are time consuming. However, they are there for a reason. Employers need the information at some point to be able to hire you. Even though you have been referred, also go through the process of completing the organization’s online application or other information requested. This makes it easier for the recruiter as they will at some point in time have to have you in their system. Again, you want to make it easy for them. When you do this, be sure to include your network contact’s information.

• Follow Up — Whether or not you receive the job or even just a simple call back, be sure to follow up with your network contact. Let them know where you are in the process. And thank them for their time.

Remember, your network can help you get noticed. The rest is up to you.