I speak with a lot of careerist who ask what to do about unrealistic job postings. The easy answer, Networking – and not networking computers – networking with people.
The graphic below represents how employers look for talent versus how job seekers look for opportunities. The challenge most job seekers face is that they start at the diametrically opposite end of the equation. They start at the last place employers seek talent.
Bringing in unknown talent is expensive, time-consuming, and is a HUGE risk.
A short video segment where I discuss why employers have such unrealistic job descriptions.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlHME6_M2j0]So how do you get past these unrealistic job postings to get the job you want? I’ll offer 3 ideas.
1) Put professional networking relationships in context
Clicking like, making or accepting a connect request, adding a twitter follower, etc. is NOT the same as networking. Neither is taking or handing out a business card. Short of a personal conversation, that card (theirs or yours) have no context. A connection without a conversation is null and void.
I mentioned this in my last blog post – and in this video.
2) Volunteer where it matters
In the above video, I’m speaking to an employment support group. If you are part of one, you should volunteer there. However, employment support groups are NOT your best networking events – everyone is out of work.
Volunteer for a local philanthropic cause or a library or a museum. However, make it something you believe in. And FYI: You should be doing this when you are gainfully employed. In fact, that is your best time to network because you focus on the right thing – adding value to the organization or cause.
3) Keep my simple mantra front and center
This relates to the above volunteering advice. My mantra for the past couple of years has been:
Be Proactive! Be Positive!
Add Value! Share Opportunity!
If you do that, there is a great chance you will be perceived/viewed as a value-added relationship to a lot of people. And people refer value-added friends/acquaintances much more easily than those who are desperate and unhelpful.
Sounds simple right? But simple still requires work. So get to it.