Networking is the process of making and keeping business contacts to develop professional relationships based on sharing information and offering support and assistance. Once you target a company, you can try to identify people inside the company who would be willing to talk with you about the company. The best way to do that is through networking. For example, you may ask your business friends, relatives, neighbors, or colleagues if they know anyone who knows, or might know, someone at your target company.
Once you identify someone who knows or might know someone at the company, ask if you can use his or her name when you make the call. Be sure to get the phone number from your networking source and repeat it after he or she gives it to you, to verify the number.
Prepare carefully for this kind of networking call. If you're calling a stranger who was referred to you, write down how you will introduce yourself. You might say something like this:
"Hello, I am (name), a friend (colleague, relative, or whatever is appropriate) of (name of person who referred you). (name of referral) is helping me in my job search for (name position). I have recently sent a resume to (name of company or person) in response to an advertisement (or job posting, or recommendation of a business colleague). (referral's name) suggested that I contact you because you (know the industry, know the company, know someone in the company, or whatever is appro priate) Do you have a few minutes to talk to me now, or may I call you back at a better time?
After that initial introduction, you should be prepared with several questions you want to ask. Write them down. They might include
- What educational or experience requirements would you look for in a candidate for the position I am hoping to get with (name of company)?
- What qualities do you think contribute most to success in this field?
- Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field?
- Do you know anyone at (name of particular company) with whom I might talk to prepare myself for an Interview?
- Do you know other people I could talk with who, (could help me learn more about the industry, could help me learn more about the company, might be helpful in my particular job search)?
Always follow up a networking call with a thank-you note to both the person who referred you and the person you talked with about the job, industry, company, and so on. If you know the person very well, this note may be handwritten, but generally, such notes are more professional and easier to read if they are typed.
Making Arrangements
Suppose that your resume, preparations, and networking paid off and you got the call. You have been invited to an interview. Now you have people to know and places to go. Once again, the old scout motto, "Be prepared," is a strong ally.
People to know
Several people are involved in the interview process. Learn the name of the person who called you to set up the interview. Learn the name(s) of the person(s) who will interview you. Verify spellings of these names with the person making the call. At the same time, ask what their titles are within the company. You can do so by asking what department they are in and their positions.
Even if the name(s) seem common, double-check the spelling. For example, if you will be interviewed by Carol Smith, ask if that is Carole with an "e" and Smith or Smyth. Repeat the spelling after he or she gives it to you and record it on your Company Fact form (see Chapter 2).
Tell the person who made the call to set up the interview that you look forward to meeting him or her in person when you come in for the interview. Then make a point of greeting that person by name when you arrive.
Ask the person who calls you for the name and number of the person to call if you have further questions or need assistance prior to the interview. In most cases, the person to call is the person making the initial phone call.
Places to go
Even though you think you know the location of the company, ask the person calling you about the best way to get to the location. If you're planning to drive, ask if company parking is available. If appropriate, ask what floor the company occupies or on what floor you should meet the receptionist. Once you have the proper information about the location of the company, figure out how much time to allow for travel. If you feel more comfortable and have the time, make a trial run to the company just so you know what to expect in terms of travel time and complications.
Always allow plenty of time to arrive at the interview. Give yourself an additional 15 to 30 minutes to travel so that you will not experience anxiety if you encounter some unforeseen delay.
Carry a cell phone and the company phone number with you, if possible, so that in the event of an unexpected and unavoidable delay, you can make a call while you are in transit to alert the interviewer of the problem.
Carefully record the date and time of the interview on your job-search calendar. Be there on time.
You still have things to do to get ready for the big interview. The following chapters give you suggestions about how to do your research, how to practice your interviewing skills before the big day, how to communicate clearly, listen carefully, and handle difficult questions or situations, and how to establish realistic goals for the interview.