Career Corner: Spring into job search
As we head into spring and the end of another school year, it’s time to gear up to get a job.
Whether it’s a summer job or a full-time career after graduation, the easiest way to find it is to network.
If you think networking is something only a pro can do, think again. If you can talk, you can network.
“ Networking is talking to people with a purpose (in mind),” said Don Asher, nationally known author and speaker on job search who presented during the February Networking from Scratch videoconference at NDSU.
Anyone you call, e-mail or come in any kind of contact with is a potential networking contact.
“ You don’t need rich and powerful connections to network,” Asher said. “In fact, sometimes rich and powerful people are a poor networking contact for recent college grads. They’re distant from the lower echelons of their company, and they don’t know anything about their entry-level jobs.”
Asher said a great person to contact is someone who holds the same job you’re looking for, because they will know everything about the position and what it takes to get it.
So who is a good networking contact? Anyone and everyone you come in contact with: parents, relatives, friends, professors and so on. Keep in mind many times those contacts will simply lead you to other contacts who are in a position to help you.
Now that you’ve got your list, what do you do; what should you ask them?
Asher recommends using open-ended questions like: Do you know how I could learn more about …? What is your advice about …? Whom do you know who would know anything about …?
Of course this is a great time to start using your elevator speech. An elevator speech is a short speech about 15 to 30 seconds that conveys who you are and what you’re looking for.
You should practice this ahead of time and can even use a cue card if you’re calling on the phone.
Remember to ask anyone and everyone.
“ You can’t always tell who has information, so your goal as a college student is to quit trying to decide who can help you the most and start talking,” Asher said.
Also, keep in mind that you’re asking for information, not a job!
“ You’ll get a job much faster if you stop asking for one. Don’t ask for a job; ask for information,” Asher said.
Your contacts will lead you to the person who can get you the job, and by then you should know what to say.
Of course, when you start networking and make contacts with people, you have to act and look professional.
It’s important that you dress well and look like someone they would want to hire, or someone they would want a friend to hire.
Speak the same way — formally and professionally. Keep networking and remember every situation is a potential job interview.
Now that you’ve got your contact list and you’re making calls or sending e-mails, remember to be persistent and don’t get discouraged.
You may have to contact people several times to get an answer, and you may have to contact several people before you find someone willing and able to help you out.
Finally, buy a big stack of thank you cards and send them to everyone you’ve contacted. Everyone loves a thank you card.
If you are interested in watching a video of the Networking from Scratch videoconference or would like more information on networking, stop by the Career Center in Ceres Hall or give us a call at 231-7111.