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Employment Networking Advice

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Started 2 years ago by Android
Latest reply from Android

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Android
Columbus
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Hi Folks,

I'm new to the board, so hello to you all.

I recently became unemployed from a non-profit I was working at here in Columbus as a Program Coordinator.

In the current job climate, I am seeing more and more how online applications don't work. The ones on Monster/Dispatch get hundreds if not thousands of reponses. And everytime I apply on Craigslist, I seem to get scammers for my credit report or I get 14 emails from "jobs" I didn't even apply to asking me to follow link to complete surveys and again, apply for credit reports.

I've reaed many articles online about how to make your resume stick out, what language to use, how to deliver a resume in person and just about every statistic out there for what fields have more hope than others, etc.

I thought I would create a post on here to see if locally, people have some advice on how to find those cool jobs that all these lists keep saying we have. I keep seeing how we're in the top 10 cities for finding jobs and all, but, how I can I find those gigs?

Most of my background is administrative. I've worked military, corporate and non-profit. I'm absolutely NO stranger to moving to new cities and finding work. But, I've never encountered a climate like this where the normal channels don't work.

I would really love to find a position in a technology setting such as wireless technology, web design or something creative, but technology driven. I work more with the administrative side of things, but I enjoy creative and technological settings.

Can anyone suggest where to network with people in these fields? Are there mixers happening around town?

Any advice or leads that you can provide would be greatly appreciated by me and possibly others that read this post.

Thanks in advance for your time in reading through my post!

-Matt

Posted 2 years ago #
Moz
Short North
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Granted, I think others can better answer your question regarding networking, but have you considered recruiters?

Perhaps it's just the field I work in, but the minute I posted my resume on a big job site like Monster/CareerBuilder, I fielded a lot of calls from recruiting and staffing agencies. There's certainly a method to dealing with them. But, for what it's worth, they've landed me the last three jobs I've had. (Two were "permanent" positions, and one was a long-term temp position.)

But yeah, I'm looking to network as well. 2010 is the year I start my five year plan.

Posted 2 years ago #
agtw31
columbus
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if you're in administrative,check out the retail financial advisors/stock broker websites(edward jones,raymond james,etc.).

they have new offices opening up here and there,and established offices are always looking for admin help.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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I've found LinkedIn to be very helpfull

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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Tenzo wrote >>
I've found LinkedIn to be very helpfull

+1 - I've heard from people here that they've had a lot of success using Linkedin. I have a friend here who wrote the book (literally) on Linkedin Networking and swears by it. He's used Linkedin to get many speaking gigs. In fact, he's speaking in Paris this week about it at the ripe age of 26. So, don't hesitate. If you're consistent and aggressive I bet it can get results in many industries.

Posted 2 years ago #
KSquared
Literally Hell
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I second what Moz suggested. The IT job market is still rough and recruiters often hear about things that are not posted or hear about them before they are posted. I work in IT and I'm finding there is a lot more work for me as a contractor (which I am now) than there is as a full time employee.
I keep hearing that the market will be looking up soon, so fingers crossed.

Posted 2 years ago #
Moz
Short North
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Re: LinkedIn

I think it works if you are currently working in, or have friends/contacts, that work in a more tech savvy industry. If you don't, then I don't think you can truly use it to its full potential. I work in accounting, and the field is still pretty old school when it comes to hiring.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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Moz wrote >>
Re: LinkedIn
I think it works if you are currently working in, or have friends/contacts, that work in a more tech savvy industry. If you don't, then I don't think you can truly use it to its full potential. I work in accounting, and the field is still pretty old school when it comes to hiring.

Could be.. I would assume its effectiveness depends on the industry.

Posted 2 years ago #
jenlauren
Short North
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I think LinkedIn is a great resource. In the past I have seen it being used more for when someone found an interesting job posting and then leveraged their network to find someone already working for that company.

Based on some previous experience where I did hiring, I always gave preference to resumes submitted through the company website rather than job boards. The last company I worked with only posted on job boards if they didn't get good candidates which resulted in most jobs never making it to Monster etc.

Posted 2 years ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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I used LinkedIn a lot. I'm not necessarily on it every day, but I find it useful as a live address book. I've expanded my network to include the people I've enjoyed working with in the past (I keep my network pretty closed, I only have about 120 professional contacts), but it's good to be able and reach out and contact them at any time.

As for making new contacts via LinkedIn, I don't really do that much. I have jumped on the forums there, but I haven't really added anyone.

As for getting into IT? I think it can be done, but keep in mind that IT skills can go stale fast, and like the proverbial shark, you must move forward or you die. If you like learning new skills every 3-5 years, go for it.

The best way to break the IT field, especially on the networking side is start as an installer/tech somewhere and take some classes and study on the side. Keep in mind you will take a cut in pay, and will probably have to indicate to recruiters that you are willing to do so. In the end, I think the on the ground experience is worth it.

Web design is different in that there are programming aspects and design aspects. I know that plenty of good designers do their share of programming and good programmers might do a bit of design, but generally you're going to want to pick a direction. Again, go for an entry level position and if you want to learn to program consider actually going to school for this. I'm not even saying get a degree, but take a few formal programming classes so that you can understand things like logic and data structures. Some database experience will help to.

Best of luck!

Posted 2 years ago #
Android
Columbus
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Thanks for all the advice, folks. I'm pretty up on social networking and hear over and over how much LinkedIn is really a big flop. I may give it another look, though.... Anything at this point is worth a try.

I've used contractors before and have had success, but none this time around.

Thanks again for all the feedback and keep it coming!

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@Android - One other thing that comes to mind is there are a lot of technology oriented meetups around town. On any night of the week there is probably something going on. I would sign up for TechLifeColumbus list and start showing up at some of the events or user group meetings. Many are low to no cost.

http://www.meetup.com/techlifecolumbus/

Posted 2 years ago #
Android
Columbus
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Thanks for the nice lead JonMyers. I would not have known about the job fair next week, so that's awesome.

Posted 2 years ago #
AmyJ

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I'm a recruiter and use LinkedIn quite often when looking for potential employees. I know lots of other recruiters that use it as well, so it definitely doesn't hurt to open an account.

I work for a recruiting agency and I am serious when I say that it's one of the best things you can do if you're out of work. You keep money coming in, but you're also performing a working interview every day you go into the office. People take notice and will recommend you for internal openings, refer you to friends at other companies, etc. In the current job market, staffing firms are almost the only places hiring since people are hesitant to bring on full-time staff.

I also recommend attending any networking function you can find and put yourself out there. You never know who you'll meet that may have a job lead for you.

Feel free to send me a message if you'd like me to take a look at your resume. I may be able to help you out!

Posted 2 years ago #
BCNation
Franklin Park
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The CYP Club has two monthly morning networking events...I highly recommend them.

I also recommend LinkedIn as well.

Also, if your college's career center has services for Alumni, utilize them, that's what I do.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@Android - There are also numerous marketplaces where you can find contract work opportunities. There are administrative opportunities on these websites. The pay is all over the board and you're competing with the world, but if you're trying to get going it can be a source of interim income.

The websites:

http://www.odesk.com/

http://www.elance.com/

https://www.getafreelancer.com/

Posted 2 years ago #
myliftkk
Columbus, OH
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some companies/IT departments have ground floor positions termed "analysts" on the development side. it can be difficult to move from the operational side of the IT house over to the development side, since both tend somewhat different in terms of skill requirements.

you might also inquire at the larger non-IT corporations in town. any large corp is almost certainly going to have an inhouse IT department and they may only post openings on their own company websites (we operate our own website dedicated to careers with us, for example).

Posted 2 years ago #
Android
Columbus
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Thanks again to everyone for responding. There's some good stuff in these posts and I plan to expand and assimilate them into my current search methods.

Pe@ce

Matt

Posted 2 years ago #