The 4 Asks of Networking
So, you found a friend in a company of interest to you? What do you do now? What do you say to them?
Networking is a subtle and often difficult art, so we at Netscale have created a blog to help give you the knowledge to act on the insight delivered by the platform.
In this post, we will talk about 4 asks of this inside contact that can skyrocket your chances of success in getting a job or making a deal. Different asks are appropriate for different situations and some even build off each other and so I have also added what circumstances are best for each ask.
1. 15 Minute Phone or Skype Call:
Best for Contacts who
- Don’t know you at all or very well
- Ex. University Alumni, Friend of a Friend
- Are working in a role similar to the one you want
Benefits
- One of the most likely asks to be accepted
- Helps you build a relationship with the contact
- Strong relationship can help build to bigger asks (Especially Asks 2 and 3)
- Allows you rare insight into a company and its people
- Understanding the people at a company can help you better understand why you might wanna work there and why you are a good fit and this information is pivotal to a good cover letter and interview
Additional Information
2. Ask if you can mention their name
Many jobs have you email someone a resume or ask how you found out about the job. If you just mention a friend told you about this job or you heard through this worker within the company, it may help your chances of getting in
Best for Contacts who
- Would remember you and recognize an email sent from you
- You have talked to at least once or twice
Benefits
- Helps you stand out, though it is the least powerful ask
- Only slight risk for friend in company
3. Recruiter Contact Information (Usually Email Address)
While many websites have an online application, personally sending your resume and cover letter to the recruiter hiring for the job can greatly help you stand out and show your interest for the job. Especially if you gained this contact information from a friend in the company.
Best for Contacts who
- Would remember you and recognize an email sent from you
- You have talked to at least once or twice
Benefits
- Helps you stand out
- Does not risk the reputation of the person helping you
Additional Information
4. Referral: Putting in a good word or pushing your resume to the recruiter
Best for Contacts
- Who know you really well and are qualified to vouch for you
- You already greatly trust each other
- Only ask if you truly believe you are a good fit for the position
Benefits
- Best chances of leading to a job
Risk
- Your reputation and the reputation of your contact is at risk so you must really want to work at this company and be willing to put your best foot forward
Now while we hope the information above was helpful, we quickly want to remind you that there are no firm rules and, in the end, it really depends on you and what kind of ask you feel comfortable with, given your relationship with this friend. That being said, these asks have been shown to make a big difference and it is always important to remember that a good referral does help everyone.