Do This Weekly and Never Apply for a Job Again

Summary

In this video, career coach Emily Durham shares a game-changing strategy for job seekers, emphasizing the power of networking through weekly coffee chats. She reveals how most jobs are filled through the 'underground job market,' relying on referrals and personal connections. Emily encourages building genuine relationships with professionals in your desired field, asking insightful questions, and maintaining consistent communication. By nurturing these connections and staying top of mind, you'll tap into hidden job opportunities, bypassing traditional job applications and securing your next role through valuable referrals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regularly connect with people from the companies you want to work at by having a 20-minute coffee chat every week.
• 😀 80% of jobs are filled through the hidden job market, often via referrals and word of mouth.
• 😀 If you have no connections, leverage LinkedIn to reach out to people in your ideal job roles at your target companies.
• 😀 When reaching out, focus the conversation entirely on the other person, asking them insightful questions about their career and experiences.
• 😀 After your initial conversation, ask if they can recommend others for you to connect with and follow up with an email thanking them.
• 😀 Consistently follow up with your new connections by staying in touch every few months through LinkedIn messages or sharing relevant content.
• 😀 Regular check-ins with your network will keep you top of mind when job opportunities arise at their company or in their network.
• 😀 Networking events in your industry are a better way to build long-term relationships than traditional career fairs.
• 😀 Networking should be viewed as a long-term strategy of building allies and friends rather than just a tool for finding jobs.
• 😀 The key to success in networking is consistency and reliability, even if it feels like slow progress at first.
• 😀 By actively engaging with your network and being proactive in seeking advice, you can tap into hidden job opportunities without applying to countless roles.

Q & A

What is the key strategy suggested for securing a job without constantly applying?

The key strategy is to build a network by having weekly coffee chats with professionals from the companies you're interested in. By focusing on building relationships and absorbing information from others, you can tap into the hidden job market, where most jobs are filled through referrals and word of mouth.

How does the 'underground job market' work?

The 'underground job market' refers to the unadvertised job opportunities that are filled through referrals and personal connections. Many jobs are secured by people who know someone inside the company, allowing them to hear about job openings before they are officially posted.

Why is networking important for job seekers?

Networking is crucial because it allows job seekers to access hidden job opportunities that are not publicly advertised. By regularly connecting with people in your desired field, you can stay top of mind and increase your chances of being referred for open positions.

What should you do if you don't have existing connections in your desired industry?

If you don't have existing connections, start by asking your family, friends, professors, or peers for introductions. If that doesn't work, use LinkedIn to find professionals in your field and reach out to them directly, with a focus on learning from their career experiences.

How should you approach someone during a coffee chat?

Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you want to learn about their career journey. Ask specific questions about their path, challenges, and advice for someone starting out. Keep the focus on them, showing genuine interest in their experiences.

What kind of questions should you ask during a coffee chat?

Prepare 3-5 questions tailored to the person’s career journey. Examples include asking about their career progression, challenges they faced, and advice for someone new to the field. The goal is to learn from their experiences and insights.

What should you do after a successful coffee chat?

After a valuable conversation, express gratitude and ask to stay in touch. Also, inquire if they can connect you with anyone else in their network who might be relevant. Follow up by sending a thank-you email and suggesting a future catch-up.

How can you maintain relationships with your network after the initial conversation?

Stay in touch by reaching out every month or so, asking how they are, following up on something they shared, or sending useful articles. This keeps the relationship alive without being overwhelming, showing you're engaged and interested in maintaining the connection.

What role does consistency play in networking for job opportunities?

Consistency is key because it demonstrates reliability and commitment. Regularly engaging with your network ensures that you remain top of mind, making it more likely for people to think of you when job opportunities arise.

How should you approach job openings within your network or a company you’re interested in?

When you see a job posting at a company in your network, reach out to your contact and inquire about the role, asking if they know who is recruiting for it. Avoid directly asking for a referral right away—simply show interest in the position and ask for guidance.