When Networking Isn’t Working, 3 Ways To Get Into Your Dream CompanygettyI've requested short phone informational interviews with people I've reached out to either via LinkedIn, a phone message or an email, and about 10 didn't reply. These are people in communications-related roles at organizations I'm interested in. Do you have guidance on other ways to land such calls/meetings? In some of these cases, I also tried to connect using other means, i.e., when a LinkedIn message didn't work, I left a phone message or tried emails or vice versa.
Kudos to this content creator for recognizing the value of networking in a job search. Additional kudos for reaching out to people they don’t already know, rather than just sticking within their familiar group. Finally, even more kudos for trying more than once and trying more than one approach (i.e., email, phone and LinkedIn). The steps this content creator is already taking should help them cultivate a supportive professional network over time.However, not every outreach is going to work with every person, every time. So even when your overall approach is sound, you still might not get the responses you want. Here are three actions to try to land a job at your dream company:1. Aim For Decision-Makers Over PeersIf this content creator isn’t already reaching out to the Head of Communications or that person’s boss (e.g., Chief Marketing Officer or even CEO depending on the size of the company), then they may be aiming too low. Communications staff below the lead may not have the authority to hire or even influence a hiring decision. They may not be close enough to company’s decisions or communications strategy to know what opportunities are in the pipeline. Even if they can help, they may see another communications professional as a threat to their job.Instead, focus your efforts on the people who are making hiring decisions and deciding which openings get approved. These senior leaders will also be aware of the most critical needs for the company, so you can engage them about issues that the company is willing to invest in. They also probably own a budget, which can be used for temp or freelance assignments.MORE FOR YOU2. Aim For Pitch Meetings, Not Exploratory InterviewsBy pivoting your efforts from networking with peers to networking with leaders, you also change the meeting from an exploratory interview to a pitch. By pitch, I don’t mean that you try and land a job or consulting assignment in the first meeting. You will still be sharing information about yourself and gathering information about your dream company, as in an exploratory interview.However, be prepared to think and act like a consultant, discerning what the company needs and wants and how you can help with that. This might be referring someone you know, if you uncover a job that’s not for you but a critical need for the company. This could be asking insightful questions that help the company clarify their needs, even if they’re not in your specific field right now. Or, it could be co-creating a job or consulting assignment that you can do.3. Make Sure Your Brand Is An Easy YesWhen you reach out to that senior leader in your dream company, do you share a compelling reason that makes them want to talk to you? If they look up your LinkedIn profile to see more about you, will they easily see your qualifications and accomplishments? If they decide to give you a few minutes to speak right now, are you prepared to host a meeting that will make your dream company want to meet again?One of the best ways to get important, influential people to meet with you is to be the candidate they want to meet. If you’re not clear about what your value proposition is, review your key wins, as well as key skills and expertise, such as how you manage teams, projects or work time or how well you know an industry or client base. Review what you know about your dream company, so you can tie your value to their specific needs. Infuse your value into your resume, online profile, networking pitch and other marketing.
