The #1 Networking Tool During Hard Times

I’ll be honest.  I’ve been struggling.

I’m struggling to keep up with the requests of recruiters and job seekers who are networking with me to either find appropriate jobs or find appropriate candidates for current jobs.

I’m not saying that I am popular in this sense.  And it’s not that the number of requests is in the hundreds. I know that recruiters and career coaches are being overwhelmed with requests as the economy hands out more layoff notices each week.  I am only getting my share of requests because I have actively helped people in the past.

Here’s my problem.  I need a simple system to connect the needs/desires of job seekers with the specs/requirements of recruiter or other networked jobs.

I belong to a number of job networks that provide daily e-mails of new jobs – many of them not recruiter driven.  Often these are the ones you don’t hear about on Monster, Career Builder or Indeed. Part of the problem is that the information comes in from multiple sources (phone, e-mail, conversation, etc) and my ability to cross-reference everything is limited.

Here’s a scenario:  I see anywhere from 15-30 new jobs a day on these networks for positions in Southern California.  Each nicely spells out the job requirements, location, title, industry of the position.  I then have to dig back through all of the information, e-mails, resumes, notes to find the job seekers who asked for my help.  It is painful.

In the end, sometimes I can’t do it.  We’re all busy, right?

So you’ve probably guessed that the #1 networking tool during hard times is helping friends, family, former co-workers and other worthy folks find their next job.  Whether you are employed or working at the time, it simply does not matter.

It also does not matter whether you are successful in this endeavor.  Your effort will be remembered and the value to you is two-fold.  First, you get to help someone solve a significant problem.  Second, this person, once re-employed, will do anything to help you in the future.  You become a person of interest, not just someone they met while out of work.

Also, as Bill Murray’s character in Caddy Shack famously said:  “Oh, uh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness“.

So, how did I solve this problem?  A simple spreadsheet.  I call my solution the Watchlyst™ (pictured below).  I’ve also attached my current version (as an Excel file) to this post for your use.  How it works:

1.  Simply enter the information for each of your contacts who are looking, print it out and keep it in your briefcase or next to your computer.

2.  Every time a job comes across your e-mail, take a quick look at your Watchlyst and quickly compare for a match.  If you get one, send a quick e-mail with a link to the job and a helpful “Good luck!”.

3.  When recruiters call, you can quickly say, yes, I know someone or no, no one in my network fits that description.  Recruiters will appreciate a quick answer.

4.  As new friends ask for your support, make sure they help you fill in every box on this form.  Any unfilled box means you are one key piece of information short in helping them find their next role.

If you like this simple tool, send it on to a friend.  But whether you use this tool or simply tap your photographic memory (my oldest son is that way, too), please take the time to network by helping others.

Download Watchlyst

For those of you technically minded folks, I am also thinking about a piece of software that will do the linking for you, creating an auto-email.  Even easier!

So, help a friend.  There will be plenty of thanks to go around.

Other Posts You Might Like:

• From Something Blue To Something New
• My Favorite Resume and CV Template: Introducing TruFocus
• Targeted Leads For Job Seekers – The New And Improved Watchlyst™
• 10 Tools. The Tools Of Successful Job Search. (A New E-Workbook)
• Welcome To My New Home

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Tags: Career Networking | excel | hard times. watchlyst | Job Search | objectives
Categories: Career Networking | Personal Marketing

Comments

1. Neil Sagebiel December 2, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

   

   Helping others never goes out of style. I admire your motivation to create a new tool for matching people with opportunities. I hope it helps you help others!

2. TTS December 2, 2008 @ 6:40 pm

   

   Thanks Neil. I think so many ideas come out of hardship. And keeping up with networking is hard work! I too hope people find value with this tool.

3. Hugh December 5, 2008 @ 9:25 am

   

   What an elegant solution to a challenging issue. I too believe that helping others is the best way to help oneself.
   Best regards,
   Hugh Lander

4. TTS December 10, 2008 @ 7:07 am

   

   Thanks for your comment Hugh. Let me know your actual working experience with it . . . would love to share anyone else’s experiences.

5. Jacob from JobMob December 10, 2008 @ 11:43 pm

   

   Nice idea, similar to something I’m working on but with a completely different solution.
   Stumbled this for you, Tim:
   http://jobmob.stumbleupon.com/review/28309503/

6. TTS December 11, 2008 @ 12:19 am

   

   Much appreciated, Jacob. Hard at work on a solution that automates this – can’t wait . . .

7. Linda October 13, 2009 @ 12:18 pm

   

   Great idea, Tim, of keeping prospective employer’s information handy & organized.
   I found your website to be very well done with lots of good ideas to keep a job seeker motivated.
   Kudos to you for this site, Tim, & fortaking time out of your busy day to speak with me, too!

8. Tim Tyrell-Smith October 13, 2009 @ 7:24 pm

   

   Thanks Linda – Great talking with you today!

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