How to find work with the help of invisible people

Posted by Jim Stroud

January 9, 2008

On any given Saturday my doorbell will ring and should I decide to answer it, a religious peddler selling me their belief system would interview me. Although they were often the scapegoat of many jokes and for the most part ignored, I eventually realized how connected they were in terms of what was going on in the neighborhoods surrounding mine. Think about it… They go door-to-door, so they know who is usually in or at the least willing to talk to them. They would be among the first to notice a significant change in the area they regularly canvas. They are accepted as part of the landscape, so while they are conspicuous, they are also invisible. When looking for a job, seek people that are somewhat like these: A part of the landscape, accepted for better or worse and connected to a territory or larger organization. Here are a few examples…

RECRUITERS

Okay, so maybe I am tooting my own horn here, but if so… beep-beep! Recruiters operate in a love-hate-love triangle between job seekers and clients. When a client is fully staffed, they do not want to hear from recruiters. When a candidate is happy on his job, he does not want to hear from a recruiter and during those times neither will return phone calls. On the other hand, if a candidate needs a job, they will not stop calling. If a client is frustrated with trying to find good help, then they come around. It’s sort of like being a fireman. You don’t really appreciate them until you need them. Speaking as a recruiter, please do not afford yourself this mentality.
Recruiters can be a VERY valuable asset to you when working and unemployed. Think about it… We know what companies are performing well, what companies are losing value and when the proverbial ship will sink. Advice from a well-plugged in recruiter can help you discern how happy you should be working on the job you just landed.

Ask yourself this, how many recruiters do you know by name? How many do you keep in touch with? Or is it that once you are employed, the “thrill is gone.” Probably the latter which is a mistake, as your salary could have increased several times over because you stayed in touch with people who place candidates like you every day. Something to think about…

REPORTERS

A lot of people shun the press and hide when a microphone or camera is in their face. The press gets blasted for sensationalism, misquotes and ignoring real issues at times. Yet without them, we would be wholly ignorant of a lot of significant happenings locally and nationwide. When was the last time you read a newspaper article and wrote the reporter that wrote it? Have you even considered how well connected reporters are? They go everywhere! They do lots of research and have to (at the least) do a good faith effort to check all the facts. These people know people and people who know people, if you know what I mean.

What I would suggest is try getting next to reporters who write consistently on matters of interest to your career. If you would, present yourself as an expert in your field and someone they can call on when a quote is needed. In exchange, ask them for leads on things that may be in development but not quite ready for press. With leads like that, you would be well ahead of the curve in finding opportunities that might not have even been written as a press release. Something to think about…

COLD-CALLING SALES GUYS

Okay, here is a tricky one. How many times have you hung up on a telemarketer? Not any more or less than I have, I assure you. Usually the ones that call me at the office are selling something that I know we are not going to buy. I tell them flat out that we are not a good prospect for their goods or services, however I may be able to think of a prospect for them. I ask them generally what their shtick is and who they target. Should their prospective clients happen to be mine as well, I then discuss how we could perhaps exchange leads with one another. I have done this about 3 times and have met some success with it. The downside to it all is unless the sales guy has a warm rapport with the lead they send you; you have to go in cold. That’s okay, at least I know that they have a need for my services. The only question is whether or not they will buy it from me. So how does this relate to your jobsearching? Easy… companies that can afford to buy certain services or goods, should suggest to you that they may have money to hire someone to facilitate said good or service.

For example, I am perfectly fine with my long-distance company. If a telemarketer calls me at home, then I know he is hitting up neighborhoods and I am even less interested. However, if they are open to a chat (and all GOOD cold-callers are) then I may be able to get a referral towards someone who is selling long distance to businesses. I talk to that person and say I may know someone who may be interested (and if not, I will say that too). I also mention that I am looking for a job and would be most appreciative if they could help me. No, I do not want to be a telemarketer. I would however, like to know who has been buying long distance plans in my neighborhood. As that would suggest to me that they have been spending too much money lately and need to cut back, or they are planning on hiring more people and need to cut unnecessary costs or, they just want to save money. No way to know for sure, but if I can get a name of someone who makes purchasing decisions, then I can follow-up with them and ask about the condition of the company. Who else would know if the company is hiring better than the money managers of that company? Just an idea… Give it a shot!

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