Job Search Rule #1 – IT IS Who You Know

And just as important, who knows you.
Today we all look to the internet to find new job options.  However, while there is a lot to be found, you must make sure you are on the top of the heap of candidates being considered.  Just posting your resume on LinkedIn will not assure you of being seen by that future employer.  Hiring authorities all have to sift through the extra “stuff” bombarding us at every turn.

Connections are key.  We all know that the best way to land a new job is through a referral.  It is fast, catered usually to your strengths and quite often a job that has not yet hit the multiple online job portals.  Your circle of friends, family and past co-workers can provide the connections you need, or even better, a strong relationship with an executive recruiter whose job is to source top talent for their clients.  LinkedIn is just one resource for connecting with people you want to know and who you desire to know you. I often hear from candidates that they do not want their close circle of friends to know they are looking at new jobs.  This confuses me and I honestly think it hinders the process.  While you do not want to be always on the hunt, you can be open to listening to opportunities.

Being connected to an executive recruiter is a great way to keep a finger on the job market pulse.  We are always speaking with our clients and candidates who give us current trends, shifts in business and future job needs long before the position goes live.  The relationship with the candidate is just as critical as our relationship with the hiring manager.  In fact, many people we place later become clients for us.

Recruiters and employers will look at your profile to see who you are connected to that they might know. It is a great way to get a sense of someone’s past work environments as well as familiarity you might have with someone close to the candidate.  If I personally do not see a candidate who has at least 300 connections and a solid mix of their industry specific groups that they participate on LinkedIn, I see them as not getting the full benefits of what the website has to offer.

While the national unemployment average rate is 13.3%*, the degreed communications and marketing professional pool is closer to 7.2%.  For employers that makes targeting passive candidates absolutely critical.  Our firm is here to keep you connected to the market.  The value of a service like ours is that we are always two steps ahead when you find yourself looking for a new job.

If we are not already connected on LinkedIn, please connect with me now.  If we are, please stay in touch and let me know what you are up to and how I can help.

Happy Job Search!

* According to the May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics

Larry Brantley

Larry Brantley, President – Chaloner
Larry has more than 30 years of experience in the communications, marketing and advertising fields, and has been involved in recruiting and placement of industry professionals both nationally and internationally.