A young person graduating this May with a master’s in public administration approached me with a question about getting a job now that she has her degree. As we discussed her situation it became clear that it’s not only newly minted graduates and many young job seekers, but everyone at every stage in their career, who might want to follow this advice. My readers should know, by now, that the job market is wide-open, that there are still more job openings than there are workers willing to take jobs, but there is definitely a disconnect between employers and job seekers, especially those first starting out.
Our job seeker was fearful that the job market is really tough and the only people who seem to be getting jobs are those who “know people.” In other words, “It’s not what you know, it’s who.”
And she’s right. Sort of. I believe that if you are spending more than 10% of your job-searching time working on your resume (or cover letter) you are spending too much time at it. Resumes don’t get jobs; interviews get you jobs.
Sure, write a simple, chronological resume but concentrate your job search by putting together a list of everyone you know who may be an “influencer” or in a position to either make you an offer or introduce you to someone who can. Your professors, anyone you’ve encountered on your internships, your parents’ friends, your friends, even someone you admire and whose job you’d like to have one day. For the young job seeker, this was clearly not her strong suit. So, it was easier to spend time on the resume. If you are like her, you are not in your comfort zone.
But remember, the best way, the only way to get the job you want is through networking. So, one “informational interview” leads to two which leads to four, and, well you get the idea.
Once you’ve secured an interview, or even a phone call, research the person you are about to chat with before the meeting and have a few pithy questions at the ready.
And don’t forget to follow up! Thank you notes to each person you’ve met, reminders of what you discussed, and, when you do land that job, a note to everyone who helped you along the way, thanking them and letting them know where you landed. Don’t forget, you need to be planning your next job move!
But is it fair and ethical if someone in a position of influence helps you get a job? Shouldn’t you get a job solely based on your merits? What about those job seekers who don’t “know” people. It may not be a completely level playing field, and it may not be completely “fair,” but as the founder of an Ethics institute, I can tell you it is not unethical to develop and use your network. You will get ahead in life by what you know, but you will likely get there faster by who you know.
