It’s not who you know that counts

Published September 4, 2014

Yes, it’s true. While you may think jobs are gotten through people you know, it’s actually who your contacts know. Ninety percent of jobs are gotten through strangers. That’s why LinkedIn is such a great tool. Not only do you have a great repository for your own contacts, but once you connect with them, now you can see who THEY know.

Remember that when you network, you are not looking for a job, you are looking for information. It may not be a quick return on your time investment, but it will yield results in the long run. If you make a positive impression, you will be remembered when your contact does hear of an open position.

I also encourage my clients to have their own business card. Some call it a mini-resume. Just some key contact information and a little about your job target. Perhaps a little about your background on the back. And I also recommend having a professional photo on it. People can take your card and file it away for another day. A photo helps remind the contact who you are!

Don’t think you have to contact your network all at once. Schedule one or two a week and keep working at it, along with your other job search strategies.

Testimonials

Although I had your business card for a few weeks, I hesitated calling you until one day, I just felt inspired to contact you. Am I glad I did! After applying for literally hundreds of jobs this past year with not even one interview…after sending the résumé you created for me, not only did I get the interview, but I got the job! I feel that God inspired me to move forward and sent you into my life when I needed it the most. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
—J. Bloomfield, Asheville, NC

So, thought I'd brighten your day! My new supervisor complimented my resume. She said she liked the summary at the top. She also commented that she wasn't positive that my background would've jumped out as a perfect match, but it was written in a way that highlighted my skills as a match for her needs. The resume you wrote for me did much more than any of those things, however. It changed the way I view myself. It supported me, and gave me a confidence that I was lacking at that time. When I first saw your draft, I didn't immediately connect with it, yet I knew it was all truth. It grew on me, or I grew into it. By the time I walked into those last 2 interviews, I had a new confidence. Something deeper than just knowing I could do the job. I knew I was the right choice. That confidence, that knowing, attracted those jobs to me as surely as my credentials well presented. It was both, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
—J. Everson, Bloomfield, KY

I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciate your help with my resume. It worked!!! I have had 3 interviews, a step I did not reach before. While I have not received a job offer yet, I know it is just a matter of time before I find a position that is the right fit. Your help with the resume made all the difference!
—L. McLamb Asheville

I have built my business through satisfied clients so I cherish testimonials. One of the most stand-out testimonials that was given to me was shared by a client I coached to help her with an upcoming interview.

This client told me later, that she had met a woman at a community event. Jen shared about looking for a position and was telling her about the "biz coach" who prepped her for the interview. The other woman mentioned how she found this excellent person to do her resume and that the résumé itself was highly complemented on in her interview. And best yet, she got the job in the end! In a few minutes, they deducted they were both talking about the same person…ME!