We know 85% of jobs are filled via networking, that’s why we created TechFace– so you could expand you network. However, if you get in front of great people who want to open doors for you, you have to make it easy for them by articulating what you’re looking for.
Imagine that you receive two messages from your friends as follows:
- “I’m looking for a new job. Frankly I’m desperate and I’ll take anything that comes along. Can you help?”
- “I’m looking for the next challenge in my career. I want to use my marketing, communication and marketing skills to help a hi-tech company grow and reach new markets. I’d ideally be looking for a job in the marketing department, perhaps as a senior marketing manager or marketing director. I’m hoping you might be able to help me find opportunities or introductions to anyone you think could help in finding a role at a large and respected tech company. Some of my ideal targets include HP, Cisco, IBM, Intel and Apple. Please could you email me with any opportunities or connections you might be able to make.”
With message 1 your have no idea what your friend is looking for or how to help them. With the second message, if you happened to have an ex-colleague who works at Apple you might make an introduction.
Creating a clear message for your network means crafting a specific concise statement of exactly what kind of work you are looking for. Typically this should be no more than two paragraphs of two or three sentences each, or if spoken should be deliverable in less than 60 seconds. Within this you need to articulate:
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What type of work you are looking for (marketing, sales, communications, project management, consulting, accounting, finance etc.)
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What sectors you would like to work in (banking and finance, manufacturing, non-profit, government, hi-tech, retail, fashion etc.)
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Ideally one or two example job positions (senior project manager, chief communications officer, vice-president of marketing)
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Other important factors (size of company, company culture, flexibility, salary needs etc.)
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Identify any organisations you have already identified that you’d like to work at (for example you might be interested in working in high-street fashion and identify Top Shop, Gap, H&M, Zara and Bennetton as your dream employers)
Join our next event to practice and improve your statement!