Breaking into the hidden job market

Today, the Lansing State Journal published an OpEd from Doug Stites, CEO of the Capital Area Michigan Works! about my journey to my current job. It highlights the relationships that were formed along the way and how connections, volunteerism, and following my passions have helped me into my current position.

Until I saw it in print, I wasn’t truly impacted by privileged I am to have wonderful people in my “network.” as friends… who have been gracious enough to help me out in return.

 

The article is called ”’Hidden’ job market all about who you know” and is available here.

 

I gleaned two main points from this article:

 Point One: My Perception of Networking Stands Corrected

The timing of Stites’ article is fitting because last week, I posted a blog post entitled: “Networking: The Gen Y Approach.” It’s available here.

Before writing the post, I spent a lot of time in reflection about what networking means to me, how it has helped me, how young people see it differently. I stick by most of what I said in the post, but just to clarify:

My real beef with the term networking is that it implies that you are using “connections” as a stepping stone to get to a set end goal. I have long term career goals, yes. But, I didn’t have an end goal while interning, save for staying in Lansing. I knew my skills, I knew my passions, but I wasn’t consciously mapping out who to know to get me to the elusive “Point B.” Instead, I did things that I thought I would like (CAMW!, Capital Caucus, YSG, Young Alumni, MSUeNet, etc). I met new friends and I did things to hopefully help them out. I wasn’t trying to break into the hidden job market at all; I was doing stuff I liked with people I liked and that I wanted to help.

 

Point Two: This article is really a lesson for every MSU grad and every person who is considering moving to Lansing.

Lansing residents are more than willing to help you. If you are interested in contributing to our community in meaningful ways, we want you here and we’ll do everything in our power to keep you here. Need a job? We’ll hopefully connect you to the people who know people in your industry. Want friends? I know this seems silly, but people want to feel connected. We’ll make sure you are. Want volunteer opportunities? We’ll hook you up. Seriously. The relationships in this community are what matter. So just go make some friends. I’ll be your friend. Let’s get some lunch.

Networking: The Gen Y Approach

I read a very insightful blog post a couple months back about how Gen Y is refusing to network and make meaningful connections outside of generational  boundaries. This was particularly apparent in an area of connection-forming affectionately known as “networking.” Apparently Gen Y just doesn’t do it. What? Really? Then how are we getting jobs?

I have been to numerous seminars about networking- student oriented and professional oriented. All of them present networking in a stuffy, formal have-your-handshake-ready mindset. If this is networking, they’re right.

Gen Y thinks they’re too good for networking. Maybe they’re right.

For example, I went to a meeting of local entrepreneurs where a speaker came in to talk about “Leveraging Networking Events.” Huh? She gave us detailed instructions for which pocket to put our business cards, where to put our name tag, and how to ask engaging questions and still get the answer you want. But is that really networking or just shallow chitchat and business card farming? The whole time, all I could think was about how stuffy the whole thing was! Aren’t your “future connections” people too? Let’s break down the walls and forget the staged “engaging” questions. Instead, let’s find common ground and build lasting relationships on shared interests.

If you skip the perfect name tag placement but give your new friend a great recommendation for a book on marketing to Gen Y, what are they going to remember? The fact that your name tag was on the right side and not the left?? Does it matter?

Networking is really stinkin’ simple: cultivate relationships with strangers.

My journey to my current job is a perfect illustration of relationship building.

Last year, I was in a class that started a company (Spotlight Michigan). We focused on talent attraction issues and wrote a large report on jobs in the greater Lansing community. Thus, we met with the communications director for a regional talent development center. She was gracious enough to offer to let a few of us continue the work we were doing under the umbrella (and clout) of her organization. I attended a legislative breakfast at the organization to get to know the mission a bit better. There, I was introduced to the founders of the Capitol Caucus, a group of young movers and shakers in the Lansing community who were interested in collaborating/informing our legislature about these issues. I was asked to join and meanwhile, I joined as an intern at the talent development center. I became more active in the planning of the Capitol Caucus and went to a meeting where I met a very successful entrepreneur and design genius. In the meeting, I had mentioned how much I love this city, but all I needed was a job. A couple days later, he asked for my resume so he could forward it. Meanwhile, the communications director, who also had connections at my company through various volunteer and personal connections, sent me a shiny recommendation letter.

Result: 2 recommendations from 2 separate worlds. Which led to a second look at my resume, which led to an interview, which led to my awesome job.

So they say that Gen Y doesn’t network. On one hand, they’re right. I will never again wear an ill-fitting suit from Banana Republic and stand awkwardly in a room of older people I know nothing about. Gen Y is too good for networking. We see the value in real relationships (online and IRL).

What we do instead is form meaningful relationships with people. We get involved in things we’re passionate about. We ask questions. In return, we listen, we help when we can, and we bring endless enthusiasm.

So, skip the suit. I’m not impressed. Let’s just talk to some strangers about stuff we like; find our common ground… preferably over a cup of steaming hot coffee.