The 3rd Easiest Way to Get A Job

Now we are getting a little thin on relationships. After all, how well do people know you from work, networking, or outside events? Probably not well. So, create a list that let’s you find areas of commonality. Having things in common does not surpass a strong relationship but it does beat a cold call. How about fraternities, associations, church, clubs, sport groups… anywhere that people get to see you face to face and get to know you even if it is on a superficial level. It is better than not knowing you at all.

Let’s say that you are new at this and have worked so hard that you don’t really have these associations developed. This is one of the incredible ways that LinkedIn and Plaxo can help. If you are not a member, shame on you. Join. Both are free to get started.

Not only can you begin connecting to over 50 million people but you can join all sorts of affinity groups whose memberships have a common bond. Examples range from colleges, sororities, honor societies, professional organizations, functional organizations, hobby groups, etc. It will be a whole lot easier to try to connect with someone who has similar interests or similar areas in common. It is a starting point that is still far better than a cold call.

The next step is to find those who are similar to you and in your neck of the woods. First, see if your groups meet in your area for generalized networking. Go and start to find those who seem to have a connection and mutual interest in each other. No, we are not talking about dating! We are talking about how to begin a lifestyle of developing relationships where you can mutally help each other. Once you find areas of common interest, go have a face to face coffee with them. Get to know them better. Help them if at all possible. This is how they will begin to know you and trust you – and hopefully want to introduce you to their friends who might be able to introduce you to influencers, trusted advisors, and decision makers in the company that you would dream about joining.

This is not as easy as nepotism, but FAR BETTER than cold calls and sending out resumes into black holes.