Who Are Your Career Advocates?

In today's competitive job market, having strong career advocates can make all the difference in landing your next role. But just how important are these advocates? A recent LinkedIn poll I conducted provided some interesting insights: When asked "Think about HOW you got your jobs. How many times did someone within the company advocate and refer you to the recruiter or hiring manager?", here's how 43 respondents answered:

• None, never happened: 16%
• At least once: 33%
• Several times: 51%

While this was a small sample size, the trend is clear - over 80% of respondents landed jobs through internal advocacy at least once, with over half experiencing this multiple times. This underscores the critical importance of building and nurturing your network of career advocates.

Why Career Advocates Matter

Career advocates can provide:

• Referrals to hiring managers and recruiters
• Inside information on company culture and job openings
• Valuable advice and industry insights
• Emotional support during your job search

They essentially serve as your champions within organizations, significantly boosting your chances of getting noticed and hired.

How to Build Your Advocate Network

Building a strong network of career advocates takes time and effort, but it's well worth the investment. Here are some key strategies:

1. Make networking the heart of your job search. Dedicate 80% of your job search time to networking activities.
2. Set concrete networking goals. For example, aim to initiate several new LinkedIn connections daily and schedule regular informational interviews.
3. Nurture both strong and weak connections. Research shows that moderately weak LinkedIn connections can often lead to unexpected job opportunities.
4. Follow up consistently. Send thank you messages after conversations and provide regular updates to keep advocates informed of your search progress.
5. Give back. Offer to help your connections as well - advocacy works both ways.
6. Research target companies. Identify potential advocates within organizations you're interested in.
7. Leverage LinkedIn. Use features like My Network and Notifications to stay engaged with your connections.

The Power of Internal Referrals

While online applications have their place, internal referrals remain one of the most effective ways to land a job. As someone who has secured several positions through internal advocacy, I can attest to its power. Even when I applied online, having my resume handed directly to the hiring manager by an internal advocate made all the difference. Even better yet, have that person refer you FIRST, as they may receive a bonus if you are hired. Then apply afterwards and mention their name in your cover letter.

Taking Care of Yourself

Job searching can be stressful, especially in a challenging market. Remember to:

• Set boundaries on your search time
• Celebrate small wins
• Practice self-care through exercise, taking breaks, or hobbies
• Seek support from friends, family, or a career coach

By focusing on building your network of career advocates and taking care of yourself in the process, you'll be well-positioned to navigate your job search successfully. Who are your career advocates? Take time to nurture those relationships - they could be the key to your next great opportunity.

As your Career Coach, I'm here to support you through your career journey. See my Career Coach Services Page for more information.

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