Networking not working for jobless

Recently, I attended a networking group for job-seekers. Such gatherings have become downright common, but this one was at one of New York’s Ivy League-affiliated clubs. All the participants — a dozen or so — had the kind of sheepskins that are supposed to make unemployment unthinkable.

 MOREOVER, EVERYONE HAD been out in the real world on successful career paths before the bottom fell out when the dot-com bubble burst.
       What made this particular gathering truly noteworthy to me, however, was how sour the group was about networking. The consensus view: There are too many unemployed people trying to tap into the informal networks that used to be the best path to reemployment. In other words, networking no longer works.
       
WHOLE NEW WORLD
       Is this really the case? Unemployment now stands at 6.2%, representing 9.1 million out-of-work people. Some economists argue that these numbers are artificially low. If you were to add in those who have given up the search for lack of available opportunities and those who work part-time because they’ve been unable to find any full-time work, the real out-of-work figure would likely be closer to 10%. And if 1 in 10 are really unemployed or underemployed, then perhaps the landscape has changed so substantially that the old techniques no longer function.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/955610.asp?0cv=CB20

http://darker0darker.tripod.com/

And it has been this way for some time. Here in Wichita, Cesna openly informs people; do not mail us your resumays, we want them faxed.

Freto-Lay in Topeka dosn't even "higher" people at all. With 100% of the work force consisting of temporary workers. One of the things you didn't touch on, that vary much makes old meures inacurate.

Part of the problem is that formal means of looking for work have no fallen out of favor with emplyers. They now higher through e-forms, faxes, temp agencies, and so forth. Now, one has to have the powers of recognition to find out HOW one applies for an opening.

Many states require that job opening be listed in the paper. Its part of the anti-discriniation make up of the system. But more and more, emplyers are looking to have jobs filled from informal sorces, and much of what we use to know about looking for work, no longre applies.

But emplyment aids are slow to change. When accepting state or federal aid, many expect to see copies of emplyment forms turned in in order to receve the compensation. By law, emplyers must make these forms avaluble to whom ever askes. But that dosn't mean their is a job their, or even that the emlyer uses these forms to higher from. Most openly admit that they get tosed right into the can. Especualy if they don't have a position open. But many dosn't use these forms, even IF their are position open. Instead taking aplicans off of e-forms and faxes. Resulting in a masive waste of time for the aplicent.

This was how I understood the situation in the 90. Lord only knows how bad it is today.

In a few minutes time on the Net, you can far more than you can by spending hours and hours attending Networking events. But, the REAL problem with Networking is that at best, all you usually end up with, if anything, is the knowledge that there might be an opening at the Widget Company. You still have the problem of getting interviews for the job.

As a long time job hunter's consultant, my advice is:

* Don't waste time on Networking.

* Don't spend money on resume mailing or blasting services.

* Don't use a resume to try to get interviews.

* Don't waste time calling recruiters.

* Job hunting today is a marketing problem, not something that you can be successful at by merely going thru the standard motions (sending resumes/cover letters, calling to follow-up etc.).

* Market your capabilities more than your past job titles.

* Bypass HR if at all possible (send just a letter to the head of the department you want to work in).

* Get professional job-changing help if you can afford it. (just make sure the person you hire is willing to take personal responsiblity for the consequences of their advice and methods)

* Make an offer to be of service, not an attempt to sell your services.

* Co's don't hire; people do. And, they hire people that they like.

* The #1 question (whether verbalized or not) hiring executives want to know the answer to is: "What can you do for me?"

See: www.expage.com/careersearch

www.expage.com/1smartway

* Market your capabilities more than your past job titles.

* Bypass HR if at all possible (send just a letter to the head of the department you want to work in).

* Get professional job-changing help if you can afford it. (just make sure the person you hire is willing to take personal responsiblity for the consequences of their advice and methods)

* Make an offer to be of service, not an attempt to sell your services.

* Co's don't hire; people do. And, they hire people that they like.

* The #1 question (whether verbalized or not) hiring executives want to know the answer to is: "What can you do for me?"

Here is my advice: Get a job, any job. Don't wait for the right one, as it may not happen. When you are employed, you will find many others in the same boat. This is where the REAL networking takes place. Moreover, you show that you are WILLING to work rather than sit back and complain. You will also feel better, trust me. It does wonders for the self esteem and it helps you to open up to other opportunities. IF you want more on this strategy, send me a PM.

I've looked for jobs at various points of my life (I'm self-employed now, thank God). I did all the things I was supposed to; networking, etc., and always felt like I was spinning my wheels. And I saw a lot of the same people, over and over, spinning their wheels. Sad to say, landing a job usually meant being at the right place, at the right time, talking to the right person. The only way you can make that happen is through persistence. And in today's job market I'm not sure even persistence will help. Which is small comfort to the unemployed, I know.