Dear J.T. & Dale: Are we now to actively pursue both “networking” (face-to-face and personal meetings) as well as “Internet-working”? It almost seems like double work — if one is ultimately going to be invited in for interviews due to “knowing somebody who knows somebody,” then what is the value of spending time and energy at the keyboard? — Elizabeth
J.T.: In an age when the Internet was supposed to make job-searching easier, it has actually created more work.
Dale: The trick is picking what work you do. J.T. and I are believers in utilizing every avenue of job-searching — ads, recruiters, postings, networking and direct contact. Statistically, however, most jobs are found through word of mouth and other networking. Thus, it would be logical to devote the majority of your job-search time there. However, even if you are a brilliant networker, some of your networking success will simply direct you back toward online applications or to research on the Internet.
J.T.: Further, you can use the Internet to find companies you are interested in working for, then reach out to friends and family to get more referrals and land informational interviews.
Dale: And remember this: Should you answer a job ad and be called in for an interview, you would be wise to use the Internet to do background research on the company you are interviewing with.
J.T.: So, to sum up, the more you can get out there and talk to people “live,” the better — and using the Internet can help you do more of it, and do it better.
Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell.com. Dale Dauten’s latest book is “(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success” (John Wiley & Sons). Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
© 2008 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
