Network, Network, Network
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I've only recently left the ranks of un- and underemployed, and I can still smell the aroma of Ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. What a harrowing experience, looking for work! A layoff in Texas brought me to San Diego, where I was sure finding a job would take no longer than a few months. Instead, it took two years before I found my position at Opto 22 (read: Dream Job). In those two years, I submitted thousands of résumés, waited tables at a questionable Tex-Mex restaurant, spoke to legions of headhunters, held two contract positions, and spent a year at a job that didn't suit me. Hundreds of applicants submit résumés to the same open positions. I submitted mine knowing there are hundreds, even thousands, of applicants with more experience or higher degrees. I found it difficult to land interviews based on my résumé alone. I found it much easier to find headhunters. Or should I say, for them to find me! One of those headhunters landed me a contract position. And while the contract was only three months, I left with much more than three months worth of pay. That contract position was pivotal in my career. I met people who became references for me, and I worked on projects that became writing samples for my portfolio. Knowing those people and gathering more samples of my work led me to a second contracting position, and then to a permanent position I held for a year. During that year, I worked hard at networking. I talked to everyone I could find. Eventually it paid off, and I worked with a recruiter (found through my first contract position) to land the position at Opto 22. Don't believe networking works? I found out that the human resources manager wasn't even going to pass my résumé on to the hiring manager. She didn't think I was qualified. But my recruiter (Michelle Wier at Technical Standards) talked so highly of me, the HR manager was persuaded to give me a chance. Look where it led me! I'm sure there are other ways to land a Dream Job. But for me, I found that contracting was a way to get exposure. The wider you cast your net, the more likely you are to catch something. Want to share your story? Job seekers, hiring managers, and recruiters; we'd like to hear your experiences and advice. Submit stories to newsletter@stc-sd.org.
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