Finding your ideal job could have more to do with a contact made at
a social event than a sparkling CV. Lindsay Nicolle investigates
the opportunities of networking
When it comes to making your way in any career the bottom line
is that it is not what you know but who you know that counts. And
IT is no exception.
Even with the plethora of ways of differentiating between job
candidates, such as qualifications, track record, interview
performance and references, at the end of the day recruiters are
just people. There is a good chance that if you appeal to their
human side (yes, they do have one!) you can hurdle every barrier to
getting that longed-for job.
The IT industry is as incestuous as any when it comes to career
networking and job-hopping. The only grades at which it is harder
to circumvent established recruitment methods to get a job that, on
paper, you are not qualified to do, are those in which core
technical skills are required - programming, for example.
For all other jobs, especially where there is a sniff of
business analysis and general acumen required, you can leapfrog
other candidates if you pull strings with the right people.
That is where career networking comes into its own - setting out
to meet and cultivate decision-makers and influential people who
are your stepping stones to meeting the person who can offer you
the job you want. There is even a theory to prove there are only
six degrees of separation between yourself and the one person on
the planet you most want to meet - be they Hugh Grant, Pamela
Anderson or the IT manager of a blue chip company.
"Good networking is more important in furthering your career
than your skills and ability - far more important," says David
Taylor, former IT director at Cornhill Insurance, and president of
Certus, the UK association for IT directors.
Career experts confirm that simply by working through the
influential people around you, you maximise your chances of
achieving anything you want to in your working life. Tap into
others' spheres of influence and your circle of useful contacts
will widen until it embraces the people who you most want to
impress.
Occupational psychologist Margaret Stead, managing director of
Career Design International and a self-styled "dream architect",
says, "IT professionals particularly need to plan for tomorrow,
given the fluctuating nature of the IT industry, but it can be an
overwhelming task. Nevertheless, successful IT professionals place
enormous importance on networking - going to trade shows, attending
lectures, conferences and social events, joining industry and
management organisations.
"All these initiatives present unique opportunities to trade
business cards, meet new contacts, pool resources, and swap
valuable information on jobs and what companies are really looking
for."
What you are trying to achieve is an introduction to the person
who holds the key to your dream job. Get that introduction from
someone highly respected by your target and they will bathe you in
the same light. You become transformed from being just another job
applicant into being the only interviewee recommended by a valued
colleague.
Being recommended can overcome a CV that doesn't match the
advertised criteria for the job and get you that interview. Seize
your advantage and be confident as you walk through the door and
you are already halfway to getting the position.
The most productive approach to networking is to do it subtly
and honestly. Don't overwhelm people on the first meeting and never
make huge demands on your contacts unless you know them very well.
Always give something in return - information, a great idea, free
advice, a valuable contact.
Also, be clear about what you're trying to achieve. Take
personality and skills tests to ensure you have not overlooked some
latent talent you have never exploited. Think about what help you
need to achieve your goal and don't limit your horizons. If you
want to be the big cheese, you can be, with help from the right
people.
Research the area you want to move into so that you can impress
those you meet who are already working in the field. Discover who
the major players are, who others respect, and home in on meeting
them with a bright idea offered unconditionally.
Above all, don't use people without giving something in return.
Rest assured that either way, they will never forget you and they
just may have the ear of your ultimate contact.
The last word on networking has to be don't let any contact go
cold. Keeping them warm need only be a case of sending a Christmas
card.
Remember, people change jobs rapidly in the IT industry and you
never know where they will go next or who they will want to take
with them.
Case study:Robert Meadows
Robert Meadows has successfully changed career direction as a
result of networking among his acquaintances and using the services
of professional advisory firm Career Design International.
Meadows has a degree in agriculture and worked in farm
management on a 4,000-acre estate after graduation, gaining
valuable man management and enterprise planning experience. From
there he moved to work as a management consultant advising small
agricultural businesses on financial planning and control.
But after nearly eight years in the job Meadows recognised that
the agricultural sector was in deep decline. He decided to change
career to improve his prospects.
To realise his ambition, Meadows took a general MBA at Aston
University, learning about finance, marketing, organisational
behaviour and operations. Career Design International, which works
with Aston University to support postgraduates, polished his CV and
presentation skills and introduced him to key people in various
industries.
Meadows also consulted the Association of MBAs, which was happy
to advise on possible careers and provide contacts through its
alumni.
From this pool of advice, Meadows identified the IT sector as
the best place for his talents - in the role of business analyst.
He took courses in IT project management and then attended IT
recruitment fairs, networking with potential employers.
Today, Meadows is a business analyst with Cap Gemini and is
pursuing a career in project management.
His advice to others is, "Don't get despondent and be open to
professional career advice. Networking is essential - it's all
about talking to the right people and presenting yourself, which is
always good practice for when you finally meet your potential
employer."
Networking: plan of action
- Immerse yourself in every industry organisation, conference and
social event dedicated to the area in which you want to
work
- Find out who wields influence and power in the area
- Learn who these people trust around them and why
- Discover who works closely to support these trusted
people
- Give them your help unconditionally, opening with the offer of
a one-page synopsis of a relevant bright idea