Network of Value?

I don’t know what’s more difficult; trying to help the unemployed IT pro’s out there find quality jobs that align well with their career direction or telling them that I can’t help them because they enlisted the help of there spouse, friend or neighbor, and have had their resume forwarded around to many of the potential jobs before I ever spoke with them.

I know that every self proclaimed job search expert will tell you that “networking” is the best way to get a job, but what they really mean is that most people get their jobs through “networking”. The subtle difference being that most professions don’t have a robust number of recruiters that work within the specialty like IT (or Engineering, nursing, etc.). So in reality people get their jobs through their friends and neighbors by default.

So what you need from your network is quality contacts (no not your spouse’s friend’s brother who once worked at that company, but not within IT). Quality is someone that you know reasonably well who is currently employed by the company you’re interested in and will vouch for your skills/abilities to the hiring manager. Because if it has to travel through more than one set of hands to get to the Manager or they don’t vouch for you on some level their referral carries little to no weight, and many times company managers, who prefer not to waste their tim, will walk by your resume to view the vetted candidate’s from a recruiter.

So after hearing the news of the impending layoff, merger, outsourcing don’t start your networking efforts off by forwarding your resume to everyone you can think of because you may be doing harm to your job search prospects. Start by researching the market understanding what companies would need/want your skills and then make a plan of attack on how to reach out to them whether it be through a former co-worker, neighbor or maybe even your friendly neighborhood recruiter.

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Comment by Slouch on August 21, 2008 at 10:09am: The tough part for some recruiters is not being able to help everyone who needs help. I remember the concept of " we don't find jobs for people, we find people for jobs" was something that when I first got into the business was easy to understand but really hard to implement. It did not take long though given the fact that the placement fees come when you find the right person for your client.

Comment by bill martineau on August 21, 2008 at 10:11am: How true it is that we are not social workers helping everyone, but damn if some individuals just don't know how to best help themselves and in the process make their situation worse by letting the paper fly.

Comment by Slouch on August 21, 2008 at 10:14am: You know, I heard about a guy in Texas who bills himself over a million a year, I have never gotten proof of it but it has been verified by a number of people. I was told that he has his conversations with his wife on his schedule so it does not cut into his time. I bet you that guy talks to only people he wants to talk to and not to candidates who have heard he is a successful recruiter

Comment by bill martineau on August 21, 2008 at 10:17am: You are right about the time management piece of this business. If you can focus on the dollars now/important calls and get off of those deadend conversation quickly you will do very well.

Comment by Slouch on August 21, 2008 at 10:33am: Here comes a shameless plug but it goes to the heart of this post and discussion. A big part of the discussion tracks at RecruitfFest! will be exactly about this. What does it really mean to be a recruiter and why having and sticking to a criteria that works and is proven is what needs to be defended at all times with current and potential clients. Sorry for the plug here in this post but it seemed appropriate.