Blog Post: People - The Key to Getting a Job Now

Your job search can all be summed up in one word in 2009: People.

Yes, that’s it -your job search, the review of your cover letter/resume and your interview is all about people.

The people you know now. The people you used to work for in the past. The people you grew up with.  The people who have always been your champions  are still your champions, even if you haven’t spoken to them in a little while. Call them. Email them. Send them a LinkedIn invitation.  Facebook them. Today!

How about the people you didn’t like too much in your past? Maybe, this is a good time to reconsider, connect and give them a second chance now.

As a career transition coach, I work with people on a daily basis who are going on interviews and getting job offers. Some  are the happiest they have ever been in their career landing their new job.

The key to getting a job now is totally about who you know. I don’t mean, who will give you a “silver spoon” and give you a job just because you are their buddy /friend or because you are nice to them.

Try to meet them in person.:
• Bring a cup of coffee, decaf, iced tea, whatever they like, to their office.
• Ask to spend 10 minutes of face to face time with them.
• Give them a break in their stressful day.
• It’s not all about you, it’s about them too. You may be giving them a very needed excuse for a breathe of human contact and friendship.

If not in person, do it through Social Networking sites, email or voicemail. Take it slow :
• Avoid asking for  a job in the first contact you have in 20 years with a former friend or colleague.
• Build a relationship and see how your commonalities come to the surface.
• Provide some useful information for them to help them with their life and their jobs.
• Set up your LinkedIn profile, your Facebook profile today.

Start connecting with people now. Not necessarily with everyone. Give this some thought. It’s about creating your world of relationships that will help you with your job search and way beyond as you settle in to your next career move.

Who knows – you may even find an old friend and reap the rewards of a renewed friendship too?