What is the best strategy for networking within a company for a position that you are qualified for but it is one on a higher level than the temporary position you are currently doing?
I am working as a electronic technician which requires a 2 year degree but I have my bachelor's in electrical engineering. There are positions open for engineers and I done want them to slip away.
Answers
Hi Shedrick,
Here are two suggestions, hope they help and best of luck!
1) Set up a meeting to someone from HR, preferably the person responsible for handling the search for the engineers. They will no doubt appreciate having potential candidates brought to their attention, especially if they have a few open positions. Bring them your full cv and copies of the open positions that interest you, so that you can explain in your introduction what you're interested in and why you're qualified.
2) Find out who the hiring managers are and the names of other engineers on their team or other teams doing similar work to what you'd like to do. Start with the engineers and ask them (you can always send an email if you don't see them in person) if they have time for a quick lunch or telephone call to talk about what they do because you're interested in the position. After that, you can send an email to the hiring manager explaining that you've spoken to HR and what you've done to express interest in the role. If there's no open position at the time, you can always ask for a meeting/call to get their advice on career development and how they got their jobs. People are usually quite willing to talk about their own experiences!
With kind regards,
Beth
Hi Shedrick,
I want to be perfectly honest. If you are already doing a great job as an Electronics Technician, then chances are that is where they will want to keep you. So if you are not happy with your current job, it might be better to look elsewhere. Good luck!
Darlene
I was following all of these methods during my time at the company and nothing panned out. I was on time, in training and learning. I also networked to with HR, hiring managers and even go an interview with one to the hiring managers. Furthermore once the managers who I was working got wind of me networking within the company they began to scrutinize everything that i was doing to a greater degree.
During the interview, I matched ALL of the qualifications except 1 and for this one qualification I proposed to him to come work with the person(A PHD) who was already doing the job on my off days in hopes of shifting the work from him onto.
Since I was working Sun, Mon, Tue , 6 pm to 6 am, i proposed to him that i work Wed, Thur, Fri without pay just to pick up the skill. Needless to say, I was not hired and my contract came to an end.
Guys corporate America is not for everyone. So if you are the "lucky" few who are able to get into a position and do well then hats off to you. Obviously even with my skill set,military service, education and background it never seemed enough.
Recently, I purchased an ANYTIME FITNESS gym and have become quite happy not having to ask anyone for a "opportunity". I only ask for your prayers as I begin pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors.
I will ALWAYS hire me.
I think Beth hit the nail on the head -- I cannot improve upon her answer.
Great input so far...
I'd add this. Assuming you are doing an exceptional job, are on time, diligent and volunteering to take on more, you are in a perfect position to do some "NETLEARNING" (here's a link to a blog I wrote about this).
Thank you for your service. I would recommend asking to job shadow for the desired position. Also just reach out and ask to meet with hiring manager. Be direct and honest about your skill set and qualifications. Let them know your interested. Most good opportunities come through direct networking relationships. Good Luck!
Determine your personal brand, and go about living it. How do others experience you? What skills and/or characteristics do you have that differentiate you? Help others to succeed, & you may be pulled along with them.
All the responses are right on target. Do more, be good at what you do, Make the job better, make the environment better. Try AMD, a good place to start.
Be sure you’re doing the job they’ve asked you to do. Make it better – the process, product – than what they gave you. Then, start looking around at what else is going on in the shop. Find ways to help. Make someone’s job easier. You might find a connection through someone (who knows someone), a project, that leads to a better fit for what the group needs and your skill set.
First do you fit all of the qualifications of the full time engineering position? If so, volunteer for more hours, volunteer to cross train into another position you might see needs filling. I know a separated young Navy PO3, who is now working in a temporary position at Stryker Corporation doing tests on surgical instruments. Over the past months he has taken every open shift, worked extra hours and volunteered for testing on a new drill. Stryker recently contacted him direct and indicated prior to signing with the contractor to come and speak to HR. I guess once you have a foot in the door, do everything possible to make yourself available for additional work, duties, and or training. Be sure that you qualify for the full time slot, the Stryker temp I spoke to you about volunteered for the new drill, which was what Stryker looked at. Thanks for your service and God Bless!
Do your assigned job well; then ask for more work. You are in the perfect position to get noticed, so ask for the opportunity. Looks for ways in which you can help out. Even if all you can do is show them what a great employee you are, you are opening the door to a closer look by management. If you can manage to pick up some extra work from electrical engineering, so much the better.
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