The Networked Search

•    The majority of undergrad job searches and almost all subsequent searches are some form of a networked search.  
•    Washington is a city of connections.  A “networked” strategy is not the only way to look for a job in Washington, but it’s by far the most effective form of job search.
•    The networked search explores what you don’t know rather than what you do know.
•    Amplitude of successes and failures can be greater than on-campus recruitment approach.

The Networked Search -- Key elements

•    Research: Use the web to create a target list of sectors and organizations in which you’d possibly be interested in working.  Figure out the characteristics of an organization that appeal to you the most.  Possible characteristics include:
    o    The organization’s mission: What it “does” in the broad sense
    o    Products, services, or functions: What it “does” in the literal sense.  Look at their press release section -- would you be happy to tell people that’s what you do?
    o    Management/Staff: Look at their bios -- do you want to be them some day?  Is their career path one you’d like to follow?
    o    Job listings: Even if you’re not qualified for them -- does that kind of a job appeal to you in the long term?

•    Triage: Pick your top five (or so) organizations.  It’s just as valuable to figure out which sectors and organizations in which you would never want to work.

•    The informational interview:  The vehicle to find a way into these target organizations.  
    o    Use a spreadsheet to keep track of all contacts and conversations.
    o    Use any connection you have to set up meetings – alumni, relatives, friends, or neighbors.
    o    Focus on people who:  
        *    Work in your target organizations
        *    Work in the general field
        *    Know lots of people in DC (chances are they’ll know someone on your target         organization list)
    o    When you secure a meeting:
        *    Bring your target organization list.
        *    DON’T ASK FOR A JOB.  Ask for the “lay of the land” or how to “break into the field.”  Ask about the reputations of your target organizations.
        *    Ask if they know anyone who works in your target organizations.
        *    Ideally, leave the interview with two names.
        *    Write a note to thank your contact for their time – email is ok.  Email them from time to time to let them know what you’re up to (not too much!)
    o    Repeat this process until job is obtained.
    o    When you get your job, email every person with whom you talked to let them know where you are.  You might get a call from them asking for your help!

The Networked Search – Pros

•    You come into an organization recommended, rather than blind.
•    You explore and learn about an industry/sector by having conversations with people in it.
•    You position yourself for longer term success by developing contacts.
•    You’re not competing with the other 5,000 recent grads applying for jobs online.
•    You find unadvertised/poorly advertised openings.

The Networked Search – Cons

•    It’s hard to get up the courage to make appointments to meet friends of friends.
•    It takes organizational skill to keep track of conversations and leads.
•    It’s time consuming and requires patience and motivation.
•    You have to make some arbitrary decisions to pursue certain fields/orgs and ignore others.

The Networked Search – Two caveats

•    The networked search isn’t a quick solution.  Few worthwhile things in life are easy.  
    o    It can take months to make the right connection to land a position.  Consider taking a job as a temp, or in a restaurant --  i.e, something you can leave easily -- to bring in cash until you find the right job for you.  
    o    Thousands of people in Washington have done this same thing.

•    You will be offered positions you think are beneath you.  If there is one in your target organization, think about taking it – especially if you are fairly certain there aren’t barriers to more responsibility.  
    o    Capitol Hill offices are a good bet -- entry-level positions almost always lead to jobs with more responsibility for hard workers.  
    o    A bad bet is a position where some kind of qualification – an advanced degree, legislative experience, international experience, etc. – is required to do substantive work.

Further reading:

http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/
http://www.executiveagent.com/career/archives/20050120_main.html

Spend your job search time wisely.  Invest your time in having informational interviews with people over blindly emailing resumes.