Romancing employers is not just for February

This being Valentine’s Day month, it might unofficially be called “romancing employers month” to remind us not to take our careers for granted. Today’s job market often feels like a dating scene especially with the ratio of available candidates to open postings leaving  job seekers feeling awkwardly like they are never going to get a date for the prom. Networking purposefully to penetrate the unadvertised or hidden job market eliminates this situation by positioning you on the inside track to learn about potential job leads even when you are not actively looking for a new position.

Know the sayings about how love finds you when you are not looking for it and that you have to be in the right place at the right time?  That’s exactly how wise executives manage their careers. They are always initiating and cultivating strategic connections, nurturing their business relationships that keep them apprised of industry changes and staying in contact with decision makers so they are top of mind whenever new opportunities develop. Their network opens doors for them to plum jobs in the unadvertised or hidden job market.  If you don’t have a Valentine, this article won’t solve that problem for you, but if you don’t have a good network, let’s get you started on identifying and creating the right connections for your future success.

Before we go further, a few words about today’s very competitive job market. It is unlike any other in recent memory. Now more than ever before senior level executives have to be their own personal talent agents. You can’t rely on recruiters to find you a job or depend on resume submissions to command an employer’s attention. It is all about being connected to individual hiring authorities before that employer officially advertises a need for talent.  In other words, get to know employers as friends/colleagues before there is a job opening and you will be in the right place when the right job comes along.

If you don’t have the contacts that will recommend you, now is the time to make these connections which will generate future job leads. Identify target employers and within each company, determine the appropriate hiring decision makers as your target contact. Find out from mutual connections what challenges they face.  Research online to learn more about current trends.  Join professional associations and monitor discussions. Read trade publications, both new and traditional media. Purposefully seek to meet and engage this key person in a meaningful dialogue with the intent of leaving a positive and memorable impression.  You want to promote a mutually beneficial relationship, not get an interview. (Remember: friends first.)  Show them you are sincere by seeking their advice, sharing information, inviting them to a special event, recommending them to others, commenting on their blog, etc. Don’t ask if they know of any openings or can refer you. Give before expecting to get anything in return. Focus on how you can help them in different ways. Volunteer your knowledge to demonstrate your abilities and generosity.

Hang in there with polite, persistent pings and you’ll be remembered when there is an appropriate challenge that you can solve. The networking purposefully process works as the most effective job searching method available.  It does take time and effort, but it always produces results.  If you make romancing employers part of your career, you will always be plugged into the job market.

Debra Feldman, JobWhiz Executive Talent Agent