Preparing for an Executive Job Search
Leverage Your Network for Opportunities
Networking is an essential skill to master in today's job market. When hiring, recruiters have the challenging task of picking one person from hundreds of applicants. Choosing somebody they have interacted with before or someone a trusted employee is able to vouch for is an easier decision than selecting someone they've never met or only met through a brief interview.
Today, some estimates suggest that up to 70% of all jobs are not published on publicly available job search sites, and research has long shown that anywhere from half to upwards of 80% of jobs are filled through networking.
- CNBC
Expected Outcomes
By the end of this CAP, you will be able to...
- Grow your network using LinkedIn
- Confidently connect with your network about opportunities
- Conduct outreach and follow-up to your network without being overbearing
- Describe the importance of using networking strategies during a job search
This CAP is for you if...
- You are actively searching for a new role
- You are planning for a transition in the future
- You want to be prepared for new opportunities that may come your way
Growth & Learning
We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Explore these valuable resources from the best experts in the field
2 minutes
How Leaders Develop and Use Their Network
Article: Eight key strategies outlining how leaders use and develop their professional networks for career growth.
44 minutes
How to Ask for Career Help
Podcast: Discussion on how to prepare for and approach people in your network for career help. From what to say, to how to gain mentor and advocates, this episode covers how to be memorable in a genuine way by making human connections.
2 minutes
Four Email Templates to Make Networking Less Awkward
Article: Four different email templates you can use to let different people in your network know that you're currently open to new opportunities.
2 minutes
How to Follow Up With Acquaintances Who Ignore Your Emails (Without Being Annoying)
Article: Templates and tips to help you kindly persist when all you get from a well-crafted email or LinkedIn message is radio silence.
2 minutes
How to Ask Your Network For Help With Your Job Search
Article: One of the quickest ways to kickstart a job search or uncover hidden leaders is to reach out to the people you already know. This article covers a few different ways to connect and an email or LinkedIn message template to use.
1 minute
Maximizing the Potential of Professional Relationships: A Strategic Approach
Humanity Talent Network Resource: Glean insights from our Executive Career Strategist team on strategic ways to network with executives.
3 Minutes
Expanding Your Network: The Power of Exposure and Reciprocity
Humanity Talent Network Resource: Explore effective strategies to enhance your professional visibility, forge genuine connections, and leverage the power of reciprocity to elevate your career.
Put Into Practice
It’s time to put what you learned into real-world practice. Here are a few steps you can take
Solidify your networking goals and identify key contacts
Unlock your networking potential with Humanity Talent Network's tool: the Networking Goals and Key Contacts worksheet. Gain crystal-clear clarity on your networking objectives and hone your outreach strategy to meet your needs.
Worksheet: Setting Your Networking Goal and Identifying Key Contacts
Develop customized networking templates to maximize time
People naturally want to help. However, how you reach out and communicate with them can make all the difference in whether they answer. Use the following templates to craft your own customized messages based on your career goal.
Worksheet: Customize Your Own Networking Templates
Connect with 5-10 people who can help you reach your goal
Stay on top of your networking efforts by setting time aside weekly, biweekly, or monthly to update and refer to your tracker. The up-front effort to get organized will pay off and building networking into your routine will soon feel like a meaningful activity building or nurturing connections, rather than a painful exercise.
Schedule a call with your Executive Careers Strategist
- Refine your personal strategy
- Get feedback on the work you put into practice
- Learn other related techniques and strategies