Market Me: Cast a Smaller Net to Find Work

By Laura Allen

Looking for work? Try casting a smaller, more local net. Many job seekers think the best way to find a job is by casting the widest possible net. They spend hours each day online searching for a job—ANY job—that they can do. The problem with this strategy is that everyone else is dong this too. The result? Hiring managers are overwhelmed with a flood of resumes and many of those resumes are not a good match for the job that’s available. When the economy is tough, people want to cast the widest possible net into a vast sea of jobs.

A more effective approach is to start to cast a smaller net in your local pond. Take a look at the places you go in your daily life. You might go to the grocery store, a restaurant, the local hardware store—and even on rare occasions—places like the hospital.

What do you notice about these places? Do they have more employees than they need? Or are they constantly busy and might need some extra help in the near future. Do you know anyone who works at any of the places you frequent? Do they like their job or are they just doing it for the moment until they find something better? Get curious about the people you meet in your everyday encounters.

For example, say you are making a trip to the local Big Chain Superstore. Is there one particular cashier who is always friendly and outgoing? Make it a point to stand in her checkout aisle. Is she wearing a nametag? (Probably!) Make it a point to remember her name and strike up a quick conversation the next time you go there. Something simple like, “Hey Julie, I notice you are busy, but you always have a smile on your face. How do you stay so positive?” Be genuine. Start getting to know the people who serve you everyday. They have friends who have friends who have….you get the idea.

You might be thinking, “This all sounds great but I really don’t have time to make new friends, I need to find a job TODAY.”

Believe it or not, the system of casting a small net is likely to land you an opportunity faster than sending thousands of resumes into the internet abyss. Employers like to hire people who are a “known quantity” so they will often ask their current employees if they know someone to fill an opening. The employer will do this first, before they put an ad in a newspaper or post the ad online.

The more people you know in your local community, the better.

When you show a sincere interest in every person you meet, you start making a positive impression on all of the people around you. Then, when you are standing in Julie’s line at the Big Chain Superstore for the 10th time, she may ask you a little bit about YOU. When Julie does ask about you—and this point is very important—you are not going to ask her if her company is hiring or tell her you are looking for a job, you are going to tell her something much more compelling. We’ll talk about what that is and how to do it in the next column. Until then, happy job hunting!

Editor’s note: Laura Allen is a career coach and sales and marketing expert. The Oneida High School graduate has a BA in writing from Eugene Lang College. In 2002, she co-founded 15SecondPitch.com, a company dedicated to helping individuals market themselves more effectively. She’s been featured on NY1 News’ “Employment Report” and ABC News. She’s also been written about in The Wall Street Journal, Time Out, New York and Adweek.

Market Me: Cast a Smaller Net to Find Work

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