Like many of you, I am also job hunting. I am searching though job listings, using my network, and trying to expand it. We hear many, many stats telling us that of all the job-hunting techniques, networking is the most effective. But, what if networking is not working for you? Your industry is going through restructuring. Your contacts are going through the same thing you are. Now what?
So, I came across this book at the bookstore – Get Hired Fast, Tap the Hidden Job Market in 15 Days. Okay, I am not naïve enough to believe the title, but it did get my attention. Quickly flipping through it, it provides a 15-Day Action Plan to tap into the “hidden job market”. The argument here is to use the direct-calling approach – calling people you have never met. You target people in key hiring position with companies you are interested in. It provides advices on how to cold call. Of course, you need to do in-depth research first, such as company mission, competitors, current company projects, what you can bring to the company… Next, you need to get at least 150 contacts. How? Google, Hoovers, Yahoo Finance, alumni associations… The point is not to know them personally, just people to call.
Then, call them. Make 5 calls in the mornings. Make 5 calls in the afternoons. Arrange one to two in-depth conversations with hiring contacts within a selected company. Per day. This is hard work. You will get rejection. 50 calls can lead to only 8 connections, to 1 interview.
Call with confidence. Call before work day starts (6:30 to 8 am) or after work days ends (5-7pm). Call at 50 minutes past the hour, when the contact just finish a meeting, with a few minutes before the next one. Call with a rehearsed script. And call.
The book really pushed you out of your comfort zone. It goes against your natural job hunting instincts. But if you are frustrated with how things are now, it is worth a shot.
Be on the lookout for details of the GIT Silicon Valley launch event on Thrusday, 9/10.
http://gitiphoneapps.eventbrite.com/
