Job hunting isn’t what it used to be.
“These days you can have 500 applicants within an hour — particularly on LinkedIn,” says Brien Convery, founder and principal, Convery & Company, a Toronto-based talent-focused consulting firm. “It is very discouraging.”
There’s no question that recruiters have a serious case of resumé fatigue — and that many are turning to quiet, behind-the-scenes hires, says Convery.
The hidden job market is real, he says, and “it’s why networking is more important than ever.” Statistics show that 80 per cent of jobs are never listed.
“The market has shifted,” says Convery. “A lot of jobs are gained through networking.”
The new approach to networking
While the thought of entering a room with several hundred people might seem daunting for everyone who isn’t an extrovert, Jolene Watson, a professional speaker and trainer based in Saskatoon, Sask., says it’s important to attend in-person events and work the room to your advantage.
“It’s all about coming out of your comfort zone and forming a deeper connection,” she says, adding that people really respond to a person’s energy and enthusiasm. “I always stress the importance of showing up and shaking hands,” she says.
But networking is also about making and capitalizing on online connections using professional networks such as LinkedIn.
Here’s how to put your best foot forward:
Network with intent: There’s no advantage to showing up for a networking event without a goal, says Convery. He says you should carefully choose events based on the opportunities they present, your values and the jobs you are looking for. He also suggests making coffee ‘dates’ with employees at an organization you’d like to join. This can yield key information about office culture, future hiring periods, and upcoming projects requiring your expertise, he says. “You shouldn’t feel ridiculous if nothing happens after the first meeting,” he says. “You’re building a support team.”
Rely on your support network: “Think of networking as making the most of meeting people who are going to help you,” says Convery. He says by sharing what job you’d like to have with your friends and colleagues you can tap into their resources and have your name passed along to potential employers. “Friends want to look for you,” says Watson. “Tell them what job you’re looking for specifically.”
Research the organization you’d like to join: Learning the most you can about a company – its key people, its website, its announcements – and tying its culture to your own goals is critical, says Watson. “If you don’t do your research it shows a level of disrespect,” she says.
Become an insider: When Sweta Regmi was looking for a new job, she interviewed multiple employees at the firms she wanted to join – asking them about the organization’s policies, the way it did business – and what initiatives it was launching. When it came time to contact a hiring manager, the Sudbury-Ont. based certified career strategist was able to use this information to tailor a proposal, while name dropping the other contacts. She was hired.
Break out the business cards: While scanning someone’s phone at a networking event is one way to get someone’s contact info, Watson favours old-school business cards. “They help you stand out,” she says, adding that if you forget a person’s name “you’ll never be able to find them in your contacts later.” Plus, she says many people hang onto business cards and keep them on their desk and follow up.
Use LinkedIn to your advantage: LinkedIn can be a treasure trove of company information, from the chain of command to blog posts about what a firm is focusing on, says Sweta. “Comment on their page,” she suggests, and have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. She says that puts you on a recruiter’s radar and shows that you’re already engaged in the organization. “You’ll be a lead magnet,” she says.
Convery says that above all, job hunters shouldn’t be worried about reaching out.
“Sometimes we’re afraid to call someone you haven’t talked to in a while,” he says. “But 2024 is the year of reconnecting.”