I'm helping my boss get some stuff together for some job fairs and all and was curious about networking so I did some research. I knew it was a huge part of gaining employment, but didn't realize it made up so much of the market.
I've always felt it was never a bad thing to know as many people as possible, and when looking for a job to talk to people and send resume's to everyone who may be able to help. I got an internship position through networking, had some interviews through networking with fraternity brothers and professional organizations, and ultimately got a job through one of my dad's good friends. My wife is still looking for a full-time position but has had a few interviews through networking as well, which just goes to show that especially with specialized fields like hers (employment/wage law and discrimination) it can really make all the difference.
Since 85% of critical jobs are filled via networking of some sort, being highly networked is essential for both the job seekers and for those seeking them. It starts by recognizing no one is average, using the backdoor to find jobs in the hidden market and being different. It ends with hiring better people and getting better jobs.
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Gee, I just post my resume to LinkedIn and then prepare for the onslaught of recruiters seeking to harness my brilliance...said every millennial ever.
honestly, you'd be surprised. I know a few people who have complained about not having a job, but will apply to one position and wait to hear back before applying to another.
Yep, last go round, I applied to 5 places, two of which I found on my own, the other three through a recruiter who found me on LinkedIn. One of them I really would have considered except they didn't call me back until I'd already accepted my current job. I imagine if I'd had some sort of personal connection, my resume wouldn't have been that far down in the pile.
On a related note, if anyone on here is a mechanical engineer with machine design experience, my company in Lynchburg is looking to hire one or two.
I dont know how many folks in the TKP community are in the IT world, but yes, that's often how it works.
You add a couple of new skills to your profile. Some recruiter in some far corner of north america performs a keyword search against qualified candidates and finds your profile, then harasses you with bad job opportunities.
I have worked at a few different places, and networking is what put me onto more desirable jobs.
Would temp jobs be the other 15%?
I think it means networking is 85% and the other 15% would be just cold applying to a job online without knowing anyone or having any personal connection to the company in any manner.
I can say, for myself, if it weren't for temp agencies, I'd be working a job I don't care for with less flex hrs. Haven't exactly been nailing it with interviews (which used to be my strong point) recently. This current job I'm at, the only interview was me actively proving my worth while on and doing the job. The last successful interview I had was for seasonal work at Lowe's (which I was at for 3 mos before picking up a higher paying temp, no interview).
Which is why Fernley rightly goes on rants about lack of VT alumni programs and outreach.
I get called at least once a month when I'm not actively job searching because of Hokies4Hire. When I was actively looking, I'd get multiple per week. Just because folks don't use the resources available to them doesn't mean they don't exist.
great point but to be fair, my rants are on the coordination of the Alumni database not Hokies4Hire which is a employment assistance service.
Not surprised. I applied for dozens of jobs...and got my job from my thesis advisor calling me and saying "I got you an interview at 1PM tomorrow". I didn't apply for the job I had until after it was offered to me.
I've had 3 jobs in my career and didn't know a soul at any of them before applying. I know that I am terrible networker and socializer with no family connections so I have to make up for it with a stellar resume and good interview skills when the time comes. Or in the case of my 2nd job, be the only qualified applicant!
As I sub-thread, I wonder what the breakdown is on interview mediums that resulted in a hire. I've gotten hired with a phone interview, a face to face interview, and most recently a Skype interview.
If that's the case, does anyone know a anesthesia residency program director? Asking for a friend (me)
Had a friend who had applied for a job in the school system complain to me over the summer that she had not heard anything two weeks after applying for a job, and no-one would return her calls, but it was still listed as available. I offered to review her resume. Her references were a former boss, a best friend/attorney, and a neighbor/teacher. I recommend she change her references to her not so good friend the superintendent (they are on a first name basis), the school wide athletics director she had helped on a volunteer project for the school over the winter, and a Facebook friend who was on the school board, and to let them know she was applying and listing them as references. She reapplied after touching base with the 3, and was hired within a week without an interview.