Job Search Online | It Takes 10 Referrals To Be Seen

How do I reach the “decision-maker”?

Are you doing your job search online for a certain company at all of the job search sites? Now you know you need a referral to be even considered. How do you find someone that is valued for their opinion at that company and who can get you “introduced/referred” to the right person, the “decision-maker“? You have lots of sleuthing to do and it takes time. But so does looking in job search sites, and scouring the online job boards. You think that resume is awesome and that you have great skills that fit the job, if only you could get your resume in the hands of that elusive “decision-maker“!

How many referrals?

Perhaps you haven’t heard. It takes, on average, 10 referrals in the targeted company to create enough buzz about you to give you that boost you want! If they heard your name 10 times with positive comments, they become very curious as to “who is this guy/gal?” They will WANT to meet you and interview you! What will it take to get your name heard or referred to 10 times? It is understood that multiple resumes will only alienate you, so that won’t work. Phone calls – make you a pest. The receptionist just says “so and so isn’t taking applications” and you have to submit online or mail that resume. It is a vicious circle, you say! Yes, it is. So, how do you make 10 referrals happen?

First off,

1. Get grounded in social media. Make yourself have a good online presence. See this article for more information: Job Searching with Social Media (for Dummies).

2. Add content in Linkedin that shows your professional abilities. You need to be professional – Linkedin is your online resume!

3. Check the company’s website if they have any links to any social media sites. If so, “friend”, “link”, or “follow” them in Facebook, Linkedin, or Twitter. Learn about the company – their mission, the activities, the goals, the social flavor, the products they talk about, and take note of who is talking there. Write down their names.

4. Find those names on Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin and request to be connected as you have a great interest in the company they work for.

5. Find people who are already in your social network and personal network – ask them if they know the names you found who work for that targeted company. The names will trigger memories better than “who do you know that works for _____?”, your friends may not know that their neighbor works for that company, but they have that connection for you! Goldmine!

6. Have a sample letter of introduction ready for your friend who has that connection, where all they have to do is edit it slightly to fit with the relationship you have and then they sign it and send it forth! Make several versions to keep them personal. You never know how many letters will land on the hiring manager’s desk. Be sure that you have your online presence noted in the letter! Whether you have Linkedin or Facebook or Twitter, or anywhere. The target employer will want to check you out further – this can be your online resume that you have on Linkedin or a blog that you write that shows your expertise and other contact information.

7. Look for other ways to get seen. Find more friends or acquaintances that will do this for you, and repeat.

8. If you have sent in your resume, send them a simple postcard – showing your links on Facebook, Linkedin etc., and invite them to read your blog, comments, input, online exchanges that highlight who you are. Maybe, just maybe, they will LIKE or friend or be connected – then you can interact with them or plan your comments to be more appealling to that job of choice!

Allow yourself to be YOU, and be socialable! Social media job searches are highly influencial, and effective if, and ONLY if, you do the steps/work. It will take time. So plan your strategy to find a way into that targeted company and position you wish to acquire! Throwing resumes into that dark hole of – job boards, and application sites – makes for a ton of competition. You want to be recognized as the “go-getter” and someone that will do what it takes.

Right now, not too many know how to use social media as their partner in finding the people they need to meet. Marketing folks know social media is crucial in today’s business growth and businesses are just now trying to learn what it can do for them and implement it. You are no different. You are in business for promoting YOU. You already HAVE A JOB actually. Working for YOU, YOURSELF to “be seen, be heard and be found”.

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