So why would you want to invest your time telling your friends about your hunt for a new job?
There are many reasons. First, your friends care about you and will go the extra mile to lend a helping hand. Second, when your friends know what type of work you are looking for, they can help spread the word. It’s easier for them to promote your qualifications than it is for you to self-promote. Third, your friends can introduce you to new people who work inside companies that may have job opportunities. Finally, there is always a chance that one of your friends has a job opening in their company.
[See: The 8 Stages of a Winning Job Search.]
If you are unemployed, you can’t keep that a secret. It may feel embarrassing, but everyone has been there. If you are employed and looking for a new job, be sure to let your friends know that your job search is confidential.
Step by step, here is what you need to do.
Build a list of companies you would like to work for. This may sound difficult, but it’s the best thing you can do for your job search. Start by adding companies you have heard good things about or companies you have done business with. If you are limited to working in a certain city, search for a list of top employers in that region. Often, this list is generated by a chamber of commerce or economic development group. Next, list companies you’ve already applied to or you’ve seen post jobs you are interested in. You can also look for companies that are in an industry you have experience in or competitors to your previous employer. This is the beginning of your list. As you discover new companies they should be added to your list. Some companies may fall off your list as well. This list will help you focus. It also will help your friends understand where to focus.
Write your positioning statement. Your friends may not know exactly what you do even if you think they do. Or, you may have decided to change your career. It is up to you to clearly communicate to your friends what you are looking for. Your statement should only be two or three sentences. It’s short and something anyone and everyone can remember. Pretend you are explaining what you want to do to a 10-year-old. You don’t need to explain why you are changing jobs. Just include what you do, who benefits and how you do it uniquely. Here is an example:
I listen to customers and give them information and answers. I’ve helped hundreds of customers through my work at a bank and a college. I was even recognized as the top customer service rep for my high satisfaction ratings.
[See: The 25 Best Jobs of 2018.]
Reach out and share. Here comes the difficult part. You have to reach out to people. Make a list so you remember to contact everyone you know. Your email should include an attention-grabbing headline. Try including the word help, advice, information or recommendation. Start your message with a sentence inquiring about the person to whom you are writing. Then you can say you would like help finding information that might lead to a job. Include your easy-to-understand statement about what you are looking for. Next, ask for help introducing you to someone who works for one of the companies on your list. It’s easiest to include the list in the body of the email. And don’t send the same, generic email to everyone on your list. People delete these types of emails. Instead, take the extra time and send a personalized email to each person.
Meet up and share. Even better than sending an email with all this information, ask to meet in person to chat and catch up. That’s all you need to say. During the first few minutes of your face-to-face chat, ask your friend about their life. This meeting isn’t all about you and your job search. Then share your short explanation about the type of work you are good at doing and want to do next. Then share some or all of the companies on your list. Ask your friend if they know anyone who works at any of these companies. You want to learn more about the company and if people like working there. Notice, you aren’t asking if there are job openings in those companies. People might not know the answer or worse, they’ll say, just apply online. That is the worse advice you can get. Applying online, without a referral, is like trying to win the lottery. The odds are stacked against you.
Show your appreciation. Saying thank you for the meeting is a no-brainer. But you’ll also want to do one more thing before the meeting ends. Ask if there is anything you can do to help your friend. They may not have any requests, but you’ve shown your interest in helping them. That goes a long way.
[See: 8 Ways Millennials Can Build Leadership Skills.]
Send thanks and an update. Always send a thank-you message after meeting with your friend. It may sound overly formal, but do it anyway. In your message, specifically, thank them for the help offered. If you did get a name or two from your friend, contact them immediately and once you’ve had a meeting with the contacts your friend recommended, send an update to your friend. People crave closure and want to know how things turned out. Your message should show your gratitude and why the meeting was helpful.
Keep working. Job offers may not immediately land in your lap. Be patient and continue meeting new people. Don’t forget to circle back to the friends you contacted early in the process and make sure they know you are still job hunting.
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How to Let Your Friends Know You’re Job Hunting originally appeared on usnews.com
