So, you’ve found your dream job. After extensive research, planning, preparation, and multiple career advising sessions with a certain dashingly handsome career adviser in Douglas Hall, you decide to submit your application. Your resume looks perfect for the position, almost as if the hiring manager used it as a template to create the job description. Your 4.0 GPA and five internships all within the exact domain of the position makes you the ideal candidate. With your breath held and your eyes closed, you click the heart-stopping button labeled, “Apply Now”. Two weeks pass and…nothing. Two more weeks pass and…nothing. You finally receive the dreaded system generated, “thanks but no thanks” e-mail from an HR robot. You begin to think of three letters and an exclamation point to describe your confusion (not “LOL!”). After more research and feedback requests you finally uncover, the job went to an internal referral. You begin to wonder, “Did I use ALL of my resources to secure this position?”
Myth #1 – “I don’t need to network to get a job; my grades and projects speak for themselves”
FALSE! (in a Dwight Shrute voice) – People hire people, not paper. In the scenario above, we have a candidate that opted for the “black hole” resume submission method. Sure, the black hole method can work for some, but it will not beat out an equally as qualified candidate that creatively utilized their talents and resources to become an internal referral. Networking helps you get to know the opportunity better than a simple job posting ever can. Moreover, you can use your informational interview sessions to build rapport with those in decision making positions and eventually leverage that relationship for an internal referral.
Myth #2 – “I don’t have the time to network”
FALSE! – You’re on the internet reading an article right now, aren’t you? Networking does not have to take place as a designated networking event or function. Productive and effective networking can begin with a back-lit iPad screen. Please be aware that networking online does not give you a pass to be impolite or an information succubus. You must be just as polite and provide valuable information in an online interaction as you would in person.
Myth #3 – “Asking for help from my contacts will only annoy them”
FALSE! – You will annoy your contacts if you ask them for something they are unable to provide; i.e. a guaranteed job. DO NOT ask for a job. DO ask for information. Calling on your contacts’ expertise gives them a chance to talk about themselves, and come on, who doesn’t love talking about themselves? Your request should lead off with an information gathering request rather than an “I’m really tired of eating ramen” request. Once your contacts have agreed to spend some time sharing their information with you, thank them for their time, but never apologize for taking it.
Myth #4 – “I’m an introvert so therefore I am a terrible networker”
FALSE! – Networking does not have to be intimidating. Break the giant career fair into small, manageable one-on-one meetings. If you aren’t a huge fan of talking about yourself to people you don’t know, make them do the work for you! Once you have broken into an interaction, begin with a brief introduction about yourself and then ask a large open ended question.
Myth #5 – “I already have a job and am not looking to sell anything so I have no reason to network”
FALSE! – Don’t be the overbearing cell phone sales guy at the networking event. (FYI, I’ve decided that “cell phone sales guys” are the new “used car sales guys”) We can all spot that guy from miles away. Seriously, don’t be that guy. Networking is about mutually beneficial relationships for the long term. Real networkers have a goal to establish and maintain contacts. A job or a sale may be a possible result of the new contacts, but is not the ultimate goal in itself.