Connectors are worth their weight in gold for your job search
Keith Ferrazi, Author of Who’s Got Your Back, wrote a blog article titled “Seven People You Should Know (Besides Kevin Bacon) to Connect with Almost Anyone”.
Keith describes the power that comes from being connected or linked to “connectors”.
For years, we’ve been advocating candidates in their job search should work hard to find connectors. In our projects where we develop strategic networking plans for executives, we usually discover in assessing their existing networks that there are NO connectors and thus – almost zero leverage in networking.
Connectors are rare individuals who are well connected to others. They have great reputations. Their names constantly surface on every request for people who do similar work. They are on everyone’s short list. They’ve done a great job of personal branding and typically have strong large networks.
Connectors pride themselves on helping others in their network. They love to bring people together. They are constantly providing recommendations, referrals, and introductions. A referral from a “connector” is worth their weight in gold for your job search. A referral from a “connector” is similar to receiving the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval”.
Now the question is how do you find connectors with whom to network?
1. A connector is well-known to clients, customers, vendors, and suppliers. For example, I am a connector in Southern California in the Executive Search Field. If a company is seeking a “C” level executive, either myself or my partner will be on their shortlist of firms/individuals to consider. I have an extensive network of over 5000 CEOs and Senior Executives developed over 2 decades through-out the country that I have personally touched in one way or another and still maintain contact. My network is especially strong in Southern California. One strategy of finding me might be to ask other peers who do they use as a recruiter when they are looking for job? You’ll hear the same 2-3 names constantly pop in conversation.
2. Another strategy is to ask hiring executives and managers who do they use as a recruiter to hire top talent executives for their teams. Again, you’ll hear the same names over and over again on the short list of recruiters.
3. A third strategy is to see who has the strongest reputation within the social media space for the individual you are seeking? Do they write a well-recognized blog, are they one of the top 50/100 recruiters on Twitter? Do they get interviewed by major business publications. Do they share the wealth of their knowledge with their network and community?
I’ve used the example of an Executive Recruiter. My example for connectors could be lawyers, accountants, business development managers, benefit consultants, software sales reps – the list is endless.
The key is to identify “connectors” that can provide job leads and referrals in the career path you want to be moving along.
Are you linked to connectors in your network?
To learn more about effective job search networking and the powerful leverage connectors bring to your job hunt, listen and download some of our radio shows where Brad I focused on discussing networking.
Barry
Tags: Career Mistakes, Job Search LinkedIn Discussion Group, Job Search Social Media, Networking Failure, Networking Mistakes, Networking Plan
Networking | Barry Deutsch September 22, 2009
About the Author
Barry Deutsch is a founding Partner of IMPACT Hiring Solutions, co-author of "You're NOT the Person I Hired", and "This is NOT the Position I Accepted". Barry is an award-winning international speaker, retained executive recruiter, and expert on hiring and retaining top talent, and executive job search.
