Last night, I participated in the HAPPO (Help a PR Pro Out) live-tweet event on Twitter. This one was especially geared toward college students and recent grads trying to break into the world of PR.
Throughout the evening, I repeatedly gave this bit of advice to jobseekers: Stop asking employers for a job. Instead, ask them if they would be willing to spend a few minutes with you, brainstorming about your career plans and options.
I know this seems counterintuitive.
But let me tell you why it’s a much more productive way to job hunt.
1.) The # 1 way that people find jobs continues to be through networking. Not by responding to ads in the paper or online, not by asking everyone on Twitter if their company has a job or internship available, not by emailing your resume, blind, to a potential employer.
Networking is the backbone of any productive job search.
But my sense is that many recent grads neither appreciate the value and importance of networking, nor do they know how to do it. Watch for a future blog post on Effective Networking.
In the meantime, let me share with you the other bad reasons to job hunt by asking for a job.
2.) Very few companies have jobs to offer you right now. Why start a conversation with a potential employer with a buzz-kill question? There’s really nowhere to take a conversation that is predicated on the existence of a job. You will surely cover the subject of hiring and talent needs in a broader conversation with a potential employer, but why lead with such a weak opener?
3.) It’s self-centered and narcissistic. I know this is hard to hear, but it’s not all about you. If you’re job-hunting effectively, you are engaging in a mutually supportive exploration of goals and needs. Networking means you will be listening as much as you will be talking. Networking means you will remember a comment that an agency principal or brand manager shared with you three weeks prior – and will be compelled to send them an article on the same topic that you just spotted in the Wall Street Journal. Trust me. If you do things like that, people will remember you.
And that is when the magic of Networking begins to kick in. If you do this with enough people, enough times, the Job Karma will revisit itself on you. Someone who was impressed by your 15-minute conversation or your unique follow-up with them will remember you when they hear that their alumni association or bank or best friend is looking for an entry-level communications person.
It takes a lot of work. And it requires you to toss out the window everything your gut is screaming about how to find a job.
But believe me, networking will pay you far bigger dividends, for far longer.
The networking will also allow the job-seeker to determine if he or she would even want to work for that particular company.
Anne, this makes total sense, especially since our job as PR practitioners is about building relationships, so why not do the same when approaching the job search? I’ve found I’ve gotten more feedback when I ask potential employers, recruiters, even my own peers if I can pick their brains instead of leading the job-seeking question.
Great post!
Ligaya M. (@kauaiianSun)
Your post should be required reading for all job seekers. I told a PR job seeker today to not be afraid to ask for informational meetings. Most PR people love sharing information about the industry (and themselves!) and helping each other. After all, someone helped them so they’re bound to return the favor. Like you so eloquently said, Job Karma.
Anne – smarter words were never spoken. My mother used to say you can’t get married until you date a while. . .meaning, no matter how technologically advanced we get, it’s still all about human relationships (especially in business). Gaining the trust of a potential employer is worth its weight in gold. . .and will spell success; maybe not right away, but in the right way and at the right time.
Anne, this makes total sense, especially since our job as PR practitioners is about building relationships, so why not do the same when approaching the job search? I’ve found I’ve gotten more feedback when I ask potential employers, recruiters, even my own peers if I can pick their brains instead of leading the job-seeking question. Great post! Ligaya M. (@kauaiianSun)
This makes so much sense. I am a recent graduate, currently serving a one-year AmeriCorps term in Communications and Marketing at the American Red Cross in Columbus Ohio. I have had the opportunity to meet with so many influental PR professionals and, really, when you get into a conversation– it seems totally inappropriate to ask directly about a job. And to jokingly ask at the end of a conversation seems hokey and desperate. I shake hands, give them my card, and hope that I’ve made a good impression.
Can’t wait to see the blog about effective networking!
Ami —
Thanks for your comment, and congrats on your year of service with AmeriCorps. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised by how impressive that is to potential employers.
I know it can be awkward to bring up a job search in a casual conversation, but don’t be afraid to let PR employers know you hope to enter the field some day. “You know, I studied communications in college and plan to enter that field when I finish my year of service…may I stay in touch with you?” is all it takes to turn an informal conversation into a follow-up item!
Good luck, Ami, and let us know how your career plans unfold.
Anne