A Fresh Set of Eyes
Locey also pointed out that people have a habit of pigeonholing each other: Someone who knew you as a great C++ developer five years ago may not consider that you’ve added a whole host of new skills since he last worked with you. “Sometimes people’s immediate network can be shocked and amazed about what they’ve really done,” she observed. “People a few layers out can look at you more holistically because they haven’t put you in a box.” In other words, people who don’t know you well are likely to see you in a light that your more established contacts do not. With that fresh perspective comes new ideas about your career path, finding your next job or strategies for advancing in your current position. All of which begs the question: How do you meet people you don’t know?The Direct Approach
One way is to simply ask people in your network for introductions to contacts they think might be valuable to you. Remember that you shouldn’t only reach out to your network when you’re looking for a job. Networking is about building ongoing relationships and continuing dialogues. “Really think hard about the people who you know and what they can do to help you besides telling you about a job at their company,” Locey said. “Rather than ask for job connections, ask where there are innovative things happening that might put a company on your radar screen. Then ask if they know someone worth talking to there.” Think beyond potential employers; consider professional or technical organizations that might welcome your involvement. Once you’ve narrowed that field to a few organizations, consider who in your network can connect you to people in each organization; ask for introductions. For those organizations that hold public meetings, make a point of attending and introducing yourself to strangers; if you’re nervous about that idea, remember that the meeting will provide you with lots of common ground for starting a conversation. If you’re interested in a particular employer, search out possible contacts on the “About Us” section of its corporate website. Follow local business publications, which, as Locey noted publish an “infinite number of articles where people are quoted or shown as being moved into new roles.” Once you’ve identified potential contacts, put out the word that you’re looking to connect. (If you can’t come up with any names, see if anyone in your network can introduce you to someone already working at the company.)Reaching Out
Once you’ve been introduced, you need to communicate. The key is to be professional and focused. “There’s a lot of helpful people out there, and you don’t have to be besties to help someone,” said Jason Alba, CEO of JibberJobber.com, a website that aids jobseekers in managing their professional relationships. “If I can see that you’re not going to spam someone or ruin my relationship with someone, I’m going to help you even if I don’t know you very well.”Upload Your ResumeEmployers want candidates like you. Upload your resume. Show them you're awesome.