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You have posted your resume online, and clicked “submit” on more online forms than you can remember and yet you are still waiting for a single call back. So how are others snagging coveted positions while you can’t get a response? Sometimes it is not what you know, it’s who you know.
A 2012 Federal Reserve Bank of New York study found candidates who were personally referred to a job were twice as likely to get interviews and 40 percent more likely to be hired than other candidates. Turns out, referrals are a little more important than a name and numbers at the bottom of your resume. So how do you get the employee recommendation you need at the company you want?

Networking

Fair or not, companies have historically relied on employee recommendations and will continue to do so. Some companies even offer employee incentives for recommending qualified candidates for new job openings. Here are a few things you can do to expand your network and improve your visibility.

  1. Speak up. Talk to people about what you do for a living. How many of your friends or family members actually know what your degree is in, where your interest lies, or what your goals are? From your brother-in-law to the person sitting next to you right now, make every interaction count. Use plane rides, block parties, or class reunions work for you.
  2. Stay in Touch. In today’s world, it is easier than ever to stay in touch with everyone from your Kindergarten teacher to your next-door neighbor. Don’t create superficial friendships for the sake of finding a job, but maintain lasting and genuine relationships you can call on when you need to.
  3. LinkedIn. If you have a job, want a job, need a new job, or are any adult over the age of 18, you should have a well-designed profile on the single most important professional networking site on the Internet. Use this to manage and expand your network online.
  4. Get out of the house. If you are unemployed, don’t spend all day on the internet hoping to make a network. Get out of the house, volunteer, attend a local conference, take a class, or attend a college alumni event. Get to know people in person and socialize with your community.
  5. Cultivate. Cultivating is the magic word that transforms contacts into connections. Ask an old friend out to lunch (and don’t ask them for a job), talk about their needs (not yours), and enjoy chatting about the good ole days. You may be on their mind when they get back to the office and hear about an opening.

At Triumph Strategic Consulting, we take great pride in helping our great candidates find outstanding jobs. If you’re looking for a great new opportunity, please contact Triumph Strategic Consulting today. We can’t wait to hear from you.

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