effort should be spent networking, says Andrea Bradford, a vice president at Right Management Consultants, a leading career placement firm in New York City. Most jobs are never posted. Thus, effective networking is finding professionals with whom you can develop a relationship and gain specific information about current opportunities in your industry.
Networking with a friend was Bearden-Byrd’s entree to CSC. The recommendation from her friend went a long way. “They [hiring managers at CSC] contacted my friend and other colleagues about my background. They got back a lot of good information, and I ended up with four offers,” she says.
Recommendations from associates often prove to be the most effective way to get your foot in the door. “Executives love to receive internal recommendations from employees who are already there because there is some history there,” says Meldron Young, a human resources consultant at the American Management Association in New York City.
Bradford agrees. “With networking, a person may say, ‘I’ll call my friend Joe and tell him about you.’ People tend to hire people they know or who have been recommended by people they know.”
Getting to know the right people, however, takes work. “People say they network all the time,” says Bradford, “but what does that mean?” Networking is more than an evening of cocktails at a social mixer. According to Mason, the information shared at such events is often dated. “Networking is about selling,” says Bradford and not about looking for the “hookup” or complaining about why you’re not working. It’s learning to talk about yourself in the most impressive ways, while communicating your abilities, your experiences, and what they could bring to a prospective organization. There are several ways to effectively increase your networking opportunities:
Ask for an informational interview. Most trade publications have a section resembling BLACK ENTERPRISE’s “On the Move” page, which is featured in the Powerplay department and lists the promotions and achievements of industry professionals. Mason suggests calling an executive for a discovery interview, where you can ask about his or her career path and new developments in the industry. “It takes the pressure off,” adds Bradford. “You want their advice. You’re not saying, ‘I expect you to have a job.’ Make sure you put that disclaimer in when you call. But they can answer questions about who is hiring.” Mason concurs, adding that discovery interviews often turn into job opportunities. “If they’re like me, they may say, ‘You know, you should call Bob.’ Bob may be the person you can ask for a job.”
Become active in industry organizations. “I don’t belong to any,” says Rivera. “I am planning on joining the National Black Public Relations Society. I know that’s important if I want to get contacts.”
Even more crucial than attending meetings is joining a committee. You’re not working, so invest your time. “It gives people in the organization, who are all tied to your profession, an opportunity to see how you work,” says Mason. “What you’ll find is that others will begin to network