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I imagine a good ol’ fashioned hunting party was a
very classy affair: men dressed in their hunting coats, dogs running over the
English countryside, a dashing Mary Crawley with her hat and riding crop… This
is how I now imagine the hunting party I have joined: The Job Hunt. When you
replace the hunting coats with our young professional smart business attire,
arm us with crisp notebooks and ballpoint pens, and strategically plan the hunt
based on a list of meticulously crafted informational interview questions, it
is clear that the game we are looking for starts with a “j” and ends in an
“ob.”
Of course, this hunting party comes with its own set
of rules. From the "who do I contact?" game, to the etiquette of follow-up and maintaining
good contacts, the process can seem daunting and unapproachable. But don’t let
the chase scare you away, grab your riding gloves and saddle-up: I have outlined
the critical steps of the networking and job-hunting process below, along with
some of my insider tips. Let the hunt begin!
Who
Should Join the Party
Strap on those riding boots and
grab your crop-let’s get started! Who should be in your hunting party? How do
you separate the promising contacts from those that won’t get you very far? How
do you even know who a contact is-or how do you find them?
Finding contacts is actually much easier than you
think-they are literally all around you. Think: college alumni, previous
internship supervisors, old family friends, people who your colleagues know,
even people you have worked with professionally but who are at a different
company you have interest in. Everyone can be a contact if you cultivate them
correctly. I personally recommend starting with people you have at least a
second-degree connection with: alumni are a great resource, as are friends of
your family or colleagues since they trust your mutual source. If you go into
the conversation with that person's trust already established, you are one huge step ahead.
How to narrow in on the good contacts. To be honest, there is probably no bad contact, but if you’re as busy as I
am, you really want to meet with those people who you know can lead to fruitful
relationships and potential positions or advancement in your career. While I do
think there is merit in the concept of cultivating contacts who you have a
genuine connection with regardless of your positions, as your shared passion
will lead to its own unique collaboration, for our sake let’s start with those
in a field you are pursuing. This means people who may have the job you want,
work for an organization you’re thinking of applying to (or have already
applied to), or people who have a career trajectory you would like to emulate.
While it is admittedly a lot easier to have a
networking chat with someone your age (they get your Mindy Project references,
after all), really challenge yourself to diversify your networking pool. That
means people that are your parents’ age, or older, because their experience can
be even more valuable when you look at where you want to be in the next 10
years-plus they have some great contacts in their own Rolodex they might be
willing to pass along. Don’t forget to creep on the old LinkedIn-see what positions
people previously held-there might lie your secret connection, or an even
better way to gauge where your dream position can take you in the next few
years.
You’re
the Hunter, Not the Prey
This can be a very hard mindset to crack into. After
all, aren’t you the one looking for the job and thus in a position of less
power than those you are chatting-up? No, you are actually the one who holds
the cards: you are determining who you are meeting, you are leading the
conversation, you are deciding how these networking chats will inform your next
moves. Taking this motivation with you into the conversation will both keep you
calm and let your qualifications shine. Forget those nerves-you’ve got this.
(Of course, this “I’m ready to take on the world” attitude should not lend
itself to cockiness-that is a very fine line. Remember, you are qualified and
prepared, but the person you are meeting with deserves your respect and has a
lot to teach you. Listen, young grasshopper.)
So, what does a seasoned hunter do before the hunt?
Prepare those questions, do that research, and above all be timely. When
getting back into the saddle, I like to steal some questions from this
handy-dandy notebook (thanks, Denison!) to get myself started. Then I pepper in
a few more specific ones: ask about that person’s specific position, the
particular companies they have worked for, bring in your own personal
experiences and mention your own qualifications and current decisions. Write
these questions out planning for a 30-45 min. Q&A.
Research on all of your platforms: LinkedIn, company
website, previous employers’ websites, company bio, their personal
publications, etc. Have a fb friend in common? Do a little personal creeping
(but don’t be obvious about this!) and see if you have something fun in common:
beach volleyball, camping, going to the theatre, etc. to just throw in the
conversation and lighten things up. Just don’t be awkward about it-let it enter
naturally into the conversation. Be clever, be smooth. You’re a cool cat, you
got this.
Polish
those Boots
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress
for it,” wise words, my friend, from renowned costume designer Edith Head.
Think those new white denim jeans and cute peplum top are shining star status for
your networking coffee? Think again. Dress like you are entering the first day
of that job.
Corporate setting: break-out that suit.
Nonprofit: blazer with colorful pants, or professional
dress with a statement necklace. Start-up: conservative, but colorful dress or
skirt/shirt combo.
Female-centric: go with a little more flair and
personal style, they’ll notice.
Male-dominated field: be conservative and not too
flashy.
Younger company culture: you can maybe do a little
laid-back approach.
You the spring chicken out there? Keep it traditional
and buttoned-up.
Personal note: Put on the heels. It will add a little confidence in your step!
Time
to Trot
Questions are prepared, research completed, outfit
pressed and ready to go. How to make sure the actual conversation goes off without
a hitch:
1. Arrive
15 min. ahead of your appointment. This makes you not only look prompt and like
you are taking this seriously (duh), but also gives you a few extra minutes to
look over your questions again, take a few deep breaths, pop in an Altoid and
put your game face on.
2. Bring
multiple pens. Just like the ACT. You never know.
3. Start-off
the conversation with a firm handshake, strong smile, and simple conversation
starter: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me, how is your day
going?
4. Listen,
listen, listen. Yes, you hold the questions, but their nuggets of wisdom
sometimes need patience to listen for. Ask follow-up questions to get to your
point, and even if your contact rambles on a bit, you may land on another piece
of advice that you weren’t expecting! Get the answers you want, but don’t rush
the process.
5. Offer
anecdotes and speak-up when the opportunity presents itself. You don’t need to
just fire-off question after question. Be natural. Share some of your own
experiences, no need to be tongue-tied, be your charming self.
6. At
the end make your next steps very clear. Are you going to stay in touch? Do you
want more contacts from them? Are you applying to a job with their
organization?
7. Be
THANKFUL. Seriously, y’all. They just took time out of their busy workday to
meet with you, be grateful.
Stay
in the Saddle
Positive first foray into the networking field? Great
conversation, outlined next steps, offer to stay in touch? You go, girl! Here
is how to stay in your contact’s good graces: follow-up with a genuine thank
you. In this case, a short and sweet email listing some specific points of
gratitude (look over those meticulous notes) goes a long way. Make sure to
mention those next steps: were they going to connect you with someone? Were you
going to apply to a job where they have a connection? Make sure you make note
of this so you both remember! Do you want to stay in contact? Go ahead and say
that: “I hope we stay in contact as I continue to pursue opportunities in the
marketing field in Chicago.”
Then, do those next steps! Apply to those jobs,
reach-out to their contacts, send a follow-up to your networking bud when you find
your new job or make an advancement. Keep them in the loop, and they might do
the same. Don’t let yourself be forgotten-you are your own personal cheerleader
so don’t leave that megaphone at home.
Hope that was helpful :) Next step in my Career
Series: It’s Interview Time! From the etiquette to the tough to answer
questions, I’ve got your back. For now, put on that riding hat and button up
your jacket. Time to ride!
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