Job Search ROTI

Maximizing ROTI – Return on Time Investment when Looking for a Job

By Claudine Vainrub, Principal of EduPlan

As we prepare for the economy to get back in shape, jobs are becoming every day more available for professionals seeking for new opportunities. The question is: What strategies can we use ensure landing a job soon? How do we achieve the best return on our job search time investment? In the following series, we will discuss the impact of several strategies, bringing today one of the most relevant when looking for ROTI in job search.

Networking:

It is by far, the preferred strategy nowadays to get effective on finding a job. Over 60% of all jobs are sourced nowadays through networking, as reported throughout. Networking, however, has taken a new meaning with social media at hand. LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook are the most widely known in the US, especially for job search and personal socialization. However, we can be surprised with the many alternatives that are available worldwide, networks of over 60MM users, some like Orkut, popular in Brazil and increasing in India, as Wikipedia reports, with over 180MM users. Other specialized networks include PartnerUp, a social networking site for entrepreneurs and small business owners. These are important tools for job seekers, who will gain an advantage when trying to connect with professionals that have things in common, and can appreciate their assets. Check out some of the hundreds of social networking sites available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites

Just sitting in front of the PC screen eight hours per day will almost surely not do the trick. Getting “out there” is another way of networking, sometimes even more effective. Face time is valuable, and being able to get in front of a decision maker or at least a reference, can make a big difference in landing the opportunity. A good idea of how to get in front of people you believe can make a difference in your job search is given by the book “Never Eat Lunch Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. Inviting people that can make a difference in your life to have lunch with you can help you in growing personal relationships. These one-on-one rapports can have an impact when someone is in the position to talk well about you, and truly “sell” you to a fellow employer. It might end up being somewhat expensive, and even fattening! But it is certainly effective when creating a connection and a recall of your personal brand in other people’s mind.

Volunteering is another effective way of networking. It is also an opportunity for a professional to prove that he/she has management skills and many other skill sets that are worthy and unique, and needed in the workforce. This strategy will also keep your mind busy with work, and away from the worries of not finding a job. It will provide food for thought and even bring ideas on enterprises and ventures that could be profitably launched. Managers and/or coworkers could end up becoming employers or even partners.

The important aspect to concentrate in is that getting busy meeting people and connecting in different ways will enrich our lives, whether we are looking for a job, looking for career advancement or even retired. Making personal connections, for whatever reason, is positive. It can and will bring many productive opportunities throughout our lives.