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February 20, 2007
Networking With a Hiring Manager Who Doesn’t Hire You
In "Networking as a Job Search Strategy," Julie Jansen provides two bits of advice for job seekers that I find interesting.
First, she advises, “Network with people who are not like you. Step out of your comfort zone.”
Second, she says, “Stay in touch with HR people and hiring managers who don’t hire you.”
For the average abled job seeker, those two suggestions may not appear to be particularly important.
But, for those of us with disabilities, who often step out of our comfort zones anyway and are looking for creative ways to gain an edge over our competitors for the same job, Julie may have hit on a valuable one-two punch.
It’s a one-two punch because Julie’s advice can result in not only more effective job searches but also more effective disability awareness among employers.
Consider this rationale:
1. A hiring manager needs to select a job candidate who is a “good fit” with the other employees of the company, particularly within her department.
2. By asking current (and former) employees what kind of people succeed within the company, you can gain a feel for what the corporate culture is like (perhaps even what the department is like) before you even meet the hiring manager at the job interview.
3. As a result, you may have some insight to share with the hiring manager about how your temperament, approach to work etc matches those of the existing workforce.
4. You have just found a way to connect with that hiring manager in a meaningful way because you are directly helping her solve one of her over-arching concerns: how to put together a team of people who work well together.
5. Because you have displayed insight into a real issue (in the mind of the hiring manager) which is at the core of hiring and managing people, you have the potential of forming a mutually beneficial networking relationship with her, even if you don’t get the job.
6. By keeping that networking relationship alive, you’ll have an inside window to the company and industry as well as future job prospects and job openings.
7. By nurturing that networking relationship, you have an opportunity to influence how a hiring manager and those within her network view disability from an employment perspective.
Networking with a hiring manager who doesn’t select you for a job may not be the easiest task to carry out. But think of the potential you could create for yourself and for others just by going beyond your comfort zone and establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with a receptive manager within a department, company, job sector and industry you’re targeting in your job search.
I believe this type of networking is important because change in the perceptions and attitudes of employers about disabilities is probably not going come in one wide sweep.
Instead, it’ll likely come one person at a time, and we can all be a part of that change while, at the same time, networking ourselves into the mainstream job market.
What are your thoughts about networking -- for the good of your own career in particular and disability employment in general -- with a hiring manager who doesn’t hire you?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Jim at February 20, 2007 06:47 PM
Comments
Good Will and Good Work's
Many people sell themselves, short. Plind people also are people, therefore, sell themselves, short.
Any, Blind Person, working, or seeking employment can do positive things, and at no cost.
In every local Community exists many opportunities.
There are always a variety of Club's, Organization's, and cause's, that one can become involved.
The most important people are those, who choose to be Community, Worker's. They are Responsible, Reliable, and committed, Social, Leader's.
A thinking, Blind Person can investigate and choose a cause that will be of interest and one that can meet with the particular abilities that fit best.
Becoming, Civically, involved brings one in touch with these important, Community, Leader's. These same, Leader's are most likely the Employer's, as well.
Leader's, are important because they, both create and give.
An old saying; when you want to get something done, allow a very busy Person a chance to take on the problem.
When a Blind Person chooses to become active in the Community, then opportunities will naturally, develop.
CFS
San Antonio, Texas
Posted by: C. Fred Stout at February 22, 2007 12:03 PM