Doing The Unthinkable In Job Search. Do You Dare?

Good points Tim. If the guy you gave the lead to gets the job, he will probably look out for you because he kind of owes you one. You can’t always count on someone else’s sense of decency and fair play, but if someone is already in your network, you stand a good chance of your generosity being reciprocated. And, as you say, it makes the situation a lot less weird if you bump into each other at the interview.

Great thoughts, Tim. The key points that I liked were: “Let your network in on your secrets. Tell them everything you know about jobs in your area.— Because if the job is meant for you, you’ll get it.”
This is a tough market but not everyone is a good fit for every job but someone is. If you aren’t, sharing leads seems a good strategy and when someone shares back the right lead for you, it becomes a win-win.

Hi Tim,
I totally agree with sharing! I’m a firm believer in “what goes around comes around” and like you said, if that job is meant for me to have it, then it will be mine! Just as simple as that!
Deb

How can you not share? We are all in this together and we need to support our network or it is not a network. Neal Schaffers example that we are a windmill on a grid supplying power to the entire grid is a great visual picture. If we unplug ourselves from the grid the entire grid loses power and we are cut off from the power of others. We need to realize we may not be a fit but a friend maybe that perfect candidate. What better way to have an inside track to that company or its competitors than to have someone on the inside looking out for you. Now it really becomes a bummer if you are helping all of your friends land at your companies and you are feeling like Miss Congeniality. But it is all about paying it forward.
Then there is karma. But that is a different discussion.

How can you not share? We are all in this together and we need to support our network or it is not a network. Neal Schaffers example that we are a windmill on a grid supplying power to the entire grid is a great visual picture. If we unplug ourselves from the grid the entire grid loses power and we are cut off from the power of others. We need to realize we may not be a fit but a friend maybe that perfect candidate. What better way to have an inside track to that company or its competitors than to have someone on the inside looking out for you. Now it really becomes a bummer if you are helping all of your friends land at your companies and you are feeling like Miss Congeniality. But it is all about paying it forward.
Then there is karma.
But that is a different discussion.

I think this is great advice Tim. I’ve gotten positions for 5 former co-workers, 1 friend, and 1 other person since I’ve been dipping my toe in the search-waters. I have, at times, wondered if I would be more suitable to working as a headhunter / resume-prep consultant / I don’t-know-what.
Ultimately, I think it is to my benefit even if these people beat me out of positions. If they are hired, then I’ve a friend on the inside later on, and as you’ve mentioned, I’ve got a friend.
Ultimately, I think there is quite a bit of “what goes around” that comes around, and I think helping other people in these times can reap larger benefits than any single job.

Hi everyone – thanks for those great comments. It is a bit counter-intuitive to some, but once you get going (sharing) it really starts to feel natural. As we begin a need to “network for life”, this openness will really come in handy . . .

Tim, I hope jobseekers will read this post and take your advice. Once you get past the initial “why would I do that?” reaction, your suggestion follows the “pay it forward” principle and gets at the heart of truly effective networking: passing on information for the benefit of others. Great advice!

Yes, I share job leads and yes I’ve gotten beat out for jobs by people I shared leads with. But at the same time I gained inside contacts who helped me win contract positions. I don’t want to hog jobs that I’m not best suited for. One job turned out to be misrepresented and I was glad to have missed out on it. Cooperation works much better than self-centeredness.

Tim – what I’ve found during my search, is that in the current market, you are probably *not* competing directly with your networking contacts anyway. There are so many people out there looking, that your very specific experience and skillset will make you ideal for a specific position – and your contacts’ specific experiences make them the ideal candidates for different positions.
I have shared leads with my friends… but always openly (i.e. they know I am applying too). Also remember how grateful those friends would be too, if they land the job with your help…
Nice discussion point – thanks.

Hi, Tim,
I enjoy reading your posts very much because I think you share ideas and experiences on a much broader scale than simply getting a job. The messages you convey in your writing cover a “life” perspective which I find to be very refreshing and encouraging.
As many of the commenters have stated, we all are in this search together, and in the bigger picture, we are all in this world together.
Although the people in my network do not have the same skills I have, if there was a time when I could share a lead, I believe I would.
Keep sharing your thoughts and experiences, Tim. You are making a difference in how people view the world around them, and that’s to be commended.
Jim Horrell – jrhorrell@live.com

@Laurie – I think a lot of people would have that reaction initially. However, once you experience the sharing, it feels pretty good . . .
@Richard – You make an important point that while there is competition, it’s often not as direct as you might think.
@Jim – Thanks for that feedback. I do try to write ftom a broader perspective. Because I know that job search is part of a larger career and life experience. WHAT we do matters. As does HOW we do it.

Hmmm, I’ve never seen this ethical dilemma amongst my former colleagues. As scientists and engineers sharing is second nature, even those of us from very secretive companies like IBM. I probably send as many offers to colleagues as I apply to. And I send offers I come across that are a potential match for other colleagues in different fields altogether. I guess I never realized that others were too selfish to do this. Youch!

Hi Bill – Imagine yourself six months out of work and you get your hands on one of those “hidden jobs”. One that was not advertised on Monster or in any of the networking groups. As far as you know, no one else is aware that the job exists. Do you share it with others in your network who are looking for the same jobs as you?
That is the question.
And I don’t think it is a selfish question. To me it is a self preservation question for many. LIke if you are starving on a desert island with five others. You find a banana on a solo walk. Do you share it?
Hmmm.