Our land of enchantment is ( as most of you know) a great place to work and play, and attracts a lot of attention from folks tired of cold rainy weather or just wanting to have our great views. This attraction can help companies needing to hire, but can complicate matters for local residents trying to find a job.
New Mexico is definitely a networking state. The local communities are small enough that you can make a connection with the people you need to meet if you stay on task. That said, hunting for your perfect job here requires some networking. As opportunities open up, there are liable to be huge numbers of applications for each position. In some cases the application isn’t even appropriate for the job. This makes it harder for the employer to find YOUR great resume among the piles.
Networking requires some courage on your part. It takes energy to reach out to friends and acquaintances asking for their help in your job hunt. Finding the right connection takes time but there is definitely a payoff for the work invested.
Luckily because employers can be overwhelmed by the applications they receive, they are now turning to their networks, especially current employees, to simplify the process. It also can save them money in the recruiting process. Employees also have an interest in adding qualified teammates to their organization, and they get kudos from the employer if they find the right candidate for the job.
Some cautions here:
Make sure your contact really is a fan. People usually won’t tell you to your face that they wouldn’t recommend you for a position, so while you are asking the favor, be sure to observe their reaction to make sure they aren’t uncomfortable with the request.
Make sure your contact is a well regarded employee of the company (no explanation needed).
Make sure that you qualify for the job you are applying for before you put a friend or acquaintance on the spot. It helps no one if you make it to the interview process for an opportunity that isn’t right for you.
Make sure you have the right contact. Sometimes the HR manager is the person you need to reach, but many times it may be the head of the department you want to apply to. Ask your contact who actually will be doing the decision-making for this opportunity. If you are applying for a tech position, having a contact in the billing department may not have the effect you are looking for.
Other points to consider: many positions are not posted, or haven’t been fleshed out yet, but if the right candidate comes along there might be an opportunity. Especially in smaller companies, they may not think they are ready to hire yet, but when the perfect applicant shows up they speed the process along. Also, some companies may work by contract, and hold resumes in file in anticipation of the next job. All are good reasons to develop a good network and keep in touch with your contacts (without making a nuisance of yourself).
Good hunting!
RSS Subscribe
Email Newsletter