How to Get a Job

Sick of submitting your resume online and sending it off into a void. Me too. Did you know that 70% of jobs are not even advertised-they're ideas that haven't yet become formalized advertisements. How do you find them? Here's a step-by-step way

1. Zero in. Find a job you want, or a company you want to work for. Do company research. Find organizations that are in-line with your values and career goals, companies the size you're looking for, places in convenient locations.

2. Do a connection quest. Use the resources available to you: facebook, linkedin, your UG or graduate school directories. Hesitant to consult your alumnae directory then think about all the money spent on your education; these services are available and you should take advantage of them!

Here's how. First you'll need a login on your alumnae website. Once you have that, head to the "alumni directory." Then you can search for your contact by "job title" "industry" or "employer name." If you choose a company with offices in numerous states you can even narrow down to the state you'd like to speak to people in.

For example, try entering "Harvard" in "employer name." My alumni directory pulls up 93 alumni along with their class years. You can click on their names and in turn see their phone number and email. If you opt out of your college network use facebook or linkedin (you get the idea) to find contacts who work at the company you're interested in.

In the people tab under "company" enter "Harvard." A list of people in your network will appear, and each person will indicate what degree of connection (1^st, 2^nd, etc.) they are to you. If you want to meet one of them you can select "Get introduced through a connection" and you can have someone you directly know introduce you. How wonderful.

3. Extend an invitation for an informational interview. Contact the people who you're connected to and ask them for a meeting. Write an email or place a phone call that goes something along the lines of: "Hi. I'm Jill ksb SooHoo, class of '08. I found your contact information on the alumni database and was impressed with your background in marketing. I've been working for the past six years as a reporter and am thinking about making a career change. I'm interested in marketing and would love to meet up for coffee to hear how you got to be where you are today. I'd be happy to head to a location that's convenient for you; your office, or even a local coffee shop. I know you must be busy and I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time-a half an hour would be wonderful."

4. Make the most of your 30 minutes. Ask good questions such as: Can you tell me how you got to be where you are today? What skills/background do you think are necessary for this job/field/ to work at this company?

I tend to ask, "Based on my background do you think I'm qualified/ on my way for a position in this field?" Make sure you've done your research before you meet and you know current information on the company, background on the CEO or president, the mission of the organization, etc.

5. In addition to informational interviews you'll need to network network network! Attend events related to your industry: job fairs, annual meetings, fundraisers, drinks, niche "networking" events. You don't need to go to every event out there; narrow it down to ones that jibe with your interests.

Make sure to connect with at least one person at each event. Take a genuine interest in people you meet. Also, connect with people you've lost touch with. Have coffee with former co-workers. Catch up with old professors, bosses, and college buddies. Find out what they're doing-you never know where your next opportunity could come from.

Make sure you go don't go in blind to these events and meetings. Know what's going on in your field. Read up on industry news. Be aware of local events and headlines. Have your two-minute elevator speech ready that tells who you are, some career highlights, a brief synopsis of your last professional opportunity, and where you want to go/ what you want to be doing. Bring an interesting tidbit about yourself (something interesting you've done lately) in your pocket to trade for connections and to ensure people remember you.

6. Be stalwart with your willingness to connect. As you go on your informational interviews and networking meetings don't ask for a job; the job will come in the same way that the right mate comes when you're not searching for him/her. Ask for information: about company environment (supportive, cutthroat, young, old?), potential for advancement, work/life balance, etc. If you have a job in mind, ask who the right person would be to contact. If you want to get a job you could love be honest with your interests and aspirations.

7. Branch on. As each informational interview comes to an end, make sure you ask if there's anyone else you should speak with. Given your interests and experiences, ask if he/she has any advice for you in pursuing your pursuits.

8. Follow-up. Make sure to send thank yous. In your email try and reference something you connected about during your conversation. And make sure to send any writing samples, resume, or any other information you said you would during your meeting. If appropriate you can also connect on facebook or linkedin.

9. Let your hard work work for you. In this process you will have aerated and hoed the garden, planted the seeds and then fertilized the possibilities. Now the germination should follow. It's not easy work. It takes a lot of time and effort but will ultimately bring better results than sitting in front of a computer shooting off resumes and cover letters into the great unknown. It might actually bring you a job you want.

10. Be consistent. Don't let anything slip. Continue to deliver information you promised and meet with people who are recommended and seem like opportunistic connections. Be reliable and responsible with your connections so that they will want to create opportunities and vouch for you. And if they do favors for you; if they suggest you meet with one of their friends, let them know how it goes and make sure to do some thanking. Your connections might not pay off within days or weeks-a few months could change everything. Keep in touch and don't be hesitant to touch base every now and then.

The goals of this process are:
1. Increase your network. You want respected people in the field to recommend you. You want to meet your contacts' contacts who are movers and shakers, who can create opportunities for you, who have interesting experiences you can learn from.
2. Spread the word about your skills and abilities, your exceptional work, and your sparkling easy-to-work-with personality.
3. Let these respected folks know you're interests so that when they cross an opportunity that might fit well with you they'll pass it along. And they'll refer you for the job.

The ultimate goal is to set the scene for the right job to find you.Use the resources available to you: facebook, linkedin, your UG or graduate school directories.Ask good questions such as: Can you tell me how you got to be where you are today?In addition to informational interviews you'll need to network network network!The right job will come in the same way that the right mate comes when you're not searching for him/her.