Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

I am interested in finding employment in my field within Westchester County. For the past month I have contacted many technical companies within the 105 and 106 area codes asking about opportunities. There has not been a positive response as of yet, however the timing may not be right. I am currently working in the field as a Network Analyst with about a year's experience. I am also soon to be a graduate of DeVry Technical Institute in NJ. I have made many contacts through research and headhunters and research, yet I have not found the right opportunity. There must be more that I'm not aware of. My question is: how do I land that job? Are there other contacts or companies that I'm overlooking? I have also gone through employment agenies in the area.

If you have any suggestions or contacts, please let me know.

From: Nelson Ferreira


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Nelson -

You mentioned that you had contacted many companies, but you did not say you had contacted all. Yes, I am serious. We often want to find the "easy way" or silver bullet in our job search by contacted a few, then a few more, then a few more, hoping all the way that this process will just naturally abort with a job offer. Few times is it that simple.

You said you are making contact. How? Phone is definitely the best. Don't just send out a flurry of resumes and hope for the best.

Be aware that employment agencies and headhunters won't be nearly as interested in you now as they will be 2-3 years from now. You probably will have to make your own way on this one, although your limited experience may be enough to carry you with some agencies. The best way to get them working for you? Be buggy. Call once a week for an update. They'll begin to dread your weekly call and make an effort to place you just to get you off their backs. It's a weird reality, but the squeeky wheel syndrome is alive and well in most employment agencies. I know--I was President of one for many years in my life before IBM and Keane.

Don't just look for the "obvious" companies and jobs. Look beneath the covers for info on companies that are new to the area or are small companies going through rapid growth. And don't forget to use DeVry's Placement Office. They're usually fairly proficient at helping you target potential employers.

But then it's up to you. Do whatever you can to get your foot in the door. Not just for the interview, but for work. Offer yourself up P/T (if you can squeeze any extra hours out of your busy schedule) as proof positive of your experience. Or use a more novel approach--ask them if they have a technical problem in your area of expertise that they have not been able to solve. Take it home, research it, and provide them with the solution. Then ask for the job. Proof positive.

And never, ever give up. Your new job is out there, just waiting to be found.

Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.

All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.