One Secret to Job Search Success

Imagine the employer as an extremely near-sighted individual. It stands to reason that the 'bigger' YOU are, the more likely you are to be seen by the employer. How can you go about making yourself more readily noticed?


Some of the typical ways of doing so include producing a resume, a cover letter, and tailoring these documents to the employer you'd like to communicate with. One less commonly utilized tool is networking.

We've all heard the expression, 'it's not what you know, it's who you know', and in today's labour market, that couldn't be more true. The near-sighted employer doesn't want to stray too far from his desk. He wants to hire the top employee for the position, but it's a lot of exertion for him to get around. That's where your network comes in. The more people you have who know you, know your skill set and what you're looking for, the more likely you are to become visible by the employer.



Who can be built into your network? Friends, family, friends of friends, people you meet who are in the field of work you'd like to get into, former employers, former teachers and mentors, the list goes on. How can you grease the wheels of your network? Don't just talk to these people when you are looking for work, or want something from them. Keep yourself in their minds by doing things for them, showing them you're thinking of them: send, email or give them an industry-related article that might interest them; pass on job leads you hear of that may suit their needs; and be gracious when they do recommend you for a position, even if it doesn't work out.




Along with other job search tools, your network will gradually help you appear in the sight of the employer; look for ways to work it, so it can work for you.