Targeted Networking to find a Job– Part 4

Targeting your Companies
Here is the payoff from Targeted Networking: you now know how to network to get to the companies you want to join.  The top ranked companies on your list are your primary targets.  With these companies in mind, network to find people in those companies and people familiar with those companies.

Ideally, the people you want be introduced to in these companies are managers in a position to hire; If you are looking for a VP position, then the CEO. However, you should especially talk to employees at the company and people associated with the company to get their perspective. This includes:

• employees
• former employees
• vendors & suppliers
• customers
• recruiters

With non-management contacts, you can find some of the harder to find information, such as: how the company treats employees, company morale, how well the company pays in general, and what are the politics like.  Sometimes collecting this information will turn your top ranked company into one that you don’t really want to work at. That is great news – it is much better to find out before you get an offer of employment.

In some cases, you will find an open position at your target company – so an introduction to the hiring manager is ideal.  A good way to get that introduction is to be referred to by a current employee. The employee gets credit for the referral and you get a big “step up” through the introduction.  Managers spend more time on employee referrals than the unknown resume coming across their desk.

You should use all your networking tools to identify people and get introductions to your target companies, including: contacting your network, asking at networking events, and trying to find connections to you through searches on line.  On great on line tool is LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com).  It lets you search by company to get a list of people sorted by how far away they are from you by relationships. It is a great way to get introductions into companies where you don’t have a direct connection.

Don’t forget about your 2nd highest ranked companies. Continue to collect information about them. Sometimes, you will find that your earlier information was too negative and you will make them your primary targets.

Although this process is systematic, it isn’t a science.  It isn’t about calculating numbers and collecting statistics – just about organizing information to find what you want. Trust your thoughtful judgment of the information you collect to lead you to the job you really want.