Your Employment Matters

Old School + New School Networking

By Beverly A. Williams

TIP:  Use Both Old School & New School Networking To Achieve Employment Success.

One way to maximize the likelihood that favorable job search results
will be achieved is to embrace both Old School networking and New School networking. 

• Both methods should be used simultaneously and vigorously to achieve employment success. 
• To use an Old School phrase, “leave no stone unturned.”

The New School approach to almost everything in this high-tech world is to rely on social networking for everything from looking for a job to communicating thoughts and ideas and hopes and dreams. 

• Millennials, who may feel that they should have a job simply because they graduated from college,
• Baby Boomers, who may think the number of years they’ve worked on a job should create job security, and
• Anyone in between seem to focus primarily (if not exclusively) on internet-based job boards for employment opportunities. 

They’re surprised when they’re not contacted for an interview especially when they’ve followed up and followed up and followed up.  

Apparently, Millennials, Boomers and the others didn’t get the text message or email that informed them that

• In this New School high-tech, electronic world,
• There is simply no substitute for Old School “live” person-to-person contact.  

This method of networking, especially referrals and recommendations, can almost magically get a person in the door for at least an exploratory interview.  

The reason is simple. 

• Given the number of talented, educated, skilled people who are looking for work,hiring decisions made in the worst economy since the Great Depression will be made based in part on intangibles. 
• First impressions based on personal appearance and ability to communicate, as well as
      
  • Who knows who,
  • Who referred who,
  • Who is related to whom,
  • Who owes who a favor,
  • Who wants to ingratiate himself with the person who made the referral may tip the scale.

The objective is to include all possible strategies and advantages in your job
search arsenal.  You may be surprised by the number of people you know and how extensive your networks are when you tap into them. 

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