How To Get A Job?

How to use contacts for getting a job?

Contacts do matter.

No matter how great your grades are, it always helps to have a couple of references in your resume.

About to go on a job interview?
Your contacts can help you even here.

The first idea is – If you know someone with a position, in the company you are aspiring for, put it subtly.
Just mention it humbly in your resume or during the interview. In your resume, just mention about your contact under – “REFERENCE” section.

Don’t highlight this fact and in no case, brag about it. It just shows that you have nothing else to boast of.
Bragging about it simply means that you are covering up for your lack of acumen and certainly, etiquettes.

The difficulty lies when you have to mention it during the interview. Because, any wrong choice of words not only creates a negative impression about you, but also about your “reference.”

So, the million dollar question –  How to mention about your “reference” in a polite manner?

Let me give you a couple of ideas.

a)      When they ask you why you want to work with them, you can tell them that you have been told by Mr. X (Here X is your patron) that it is a great company to work with.

b)      When they ask you why they should hire you, you can tell them that you are interested in the job and that you have already done your homework.
Tell them that you have taken your time in learning about the work culture and the job profile of the company. And in all this, you were helped by Mr. X, who also happens to be your family friend.

So far, so good. But, what if you have no contacts?

Well, in that case you can “create” contacts. 

If you are still a student, request the placement cell of your college to give you the contacts of your college alumni working with that particular company.

You can exercise this option even if you are working, but being a working professional gives you an added advantage. You  can ask your friend circle if they have any contacts in the company you are planning to switch to.

In the worst case, you can search LinkedIn, and find out if someone from your alma-mater is working with that company. 

Does this mean that you use tell everyone in the panel about that contact of yours?

A big no.

Be honest.
Because references are cross-checked.

The question arises - what is the point in putting so much of effort to find out about a possible "reference", if you can't even brag about it?
The answer is simple – To  help you sail through the interview and get the job.

But there are procedures to be followed, isn't it?

Mail the person asking if they can manage some time and talk with you.

If the reply is in affirmative, call them at that time. Tell them that you are aspiring to work with them and that you are looking for their advice. Ask them about the work culture of the company.

But in no case, ask them to refer you. They themselves will mention it if they are willing to. At the end of the conversation, thank them for their time.

This not only helps you in learning more about the company, but  also the expectation of the company from you. This in turn helps you prepare for the interview in a more focused manner.

BEST OF LUCK!