As you know, this website is all about helping job seekers successfully land their next position. However, if you are living with a job seeker, have a struggling job seeking colleague, or know of someone looking for a new job – chances are you want to help them.
So how do you help them when you don’t know of any open positions that match their skills?
Just because you don’t know of any vacancies suitable, there are still ways you can help. I’ve crafted 9 tips you can use TODAY to help your spouse, relative, child, friend, or colleague that is currently searching for a new job.
1: Give their resume to a hiring manager in your company
Only do this if it’s appropriate. But, if they are a great candidate and you would recommend them, then hand over their resume (whether a position is open or not). From my own personal experience, this has generated several successful positions in my career. Positions come up all the time, and there is nothing better for a hiring manager to have a “virtual bench” of great candidates ready when needed.
In addition, don’t overlook the weight a personal recommendation has in helping that person secure an interview for a future position. Personal recommendations are like gold, if the person you are recommending succeeds in the new position, this boosts your personal brand and career.
2: Invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn
In my article “where will networking take you” I talk about the importance of your network in job searching. In this case the bigger – the better!
Connecting on LinkedIn unlocks a job seekers potential to engage with your connections and allows you to introduce that job seeker directly to your network through InMail. So even if you can’t give their resume to a hiring manager within your company (from point 1), you can give them a personal introduction to a good contact through LinkedIn.
3: Endorse or recommend them on LinkedIn
Helping that job seeker in your life to build their brand, boost their confidence and their credibility is only a few short words and the “click of a mouse” away. Anyone can endorse or recommend others on LinkedIn, so why not take a moment to help that colleague now?
4: Offer a reference
Only if this is appropriate. Helping a job seeker by giving a quality reference can take a lot of pressure off them in their job search. A quality referee can be the difference between hearing a “yes” or “thanks but no thanks”.
It’s not only what you say as a referee, but also your availability for the recruiter or hiring manager when needed, your ability to answer the recruiter’s questions, communicate effectively and politely, and confirm trust and credibility in the candidate.
Don’t overlook this important action as a meaningful way you can help that job seeker in need.
5: Listen to them
Long term job searching is hard and many people get stuck in a rut. Sometimes all they want is to vent and download how their latest job search efforts are going.
They want to do this without judgement, pressure, or fear of sounding like a sounding failure. So why not proactively ask them out for coffee and listen to them.
6: Invite them to networking events
Let’s face it, no-one likes going to networking events alone. For the non-networking job seeker, one of the best things you can do if you attend networking events such as Chamber of Commerce, fundraisers, meet-up’s, or association meetings is to invite them along.
They will benefit greatly by having the opportunity to expand their network, work on their personal branding pitch, and meet new contacts.
In addition, for the unemployed job seeker, it’s a good opportunity for them to get out of the house, get involved and boost their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
7: Educate them about my free blog articles
Knowledge is power, and maybe there is an article I have written or industry news I’ve shared on social media which can help them get to the next stage in their job search.
8: Give them job search resources
This can be super helpful to anyone looking for a new job. Jump on to Amazon, Booktopia or Dymocks and see if there is a book or you can buy them that could really make their day or turnaround their job search.
9: Be positive and optimistic.
It doesn’t matter how confident the job seeker is at some point they will need your support. The news is full of doom and gloom about slow economic conditions and industry downturn. Your positivity and optimism can make a big difference!
I have clients finding and landing jobs daily. Regardless of the economy, their job skills, background or circumstances, jobs ARE out there and so is help and support. Remind them of this.
What other ways do you support and assist your job seeking friends and colleagues? Leave us a comment below!
