Danny Cox is: The PRospective Employee

So you’re a college student and want to try find a job? Join the rest of the currently unemployed 9.5% of the United States labor force . That equates to about 3.3 job seekers per open position according to personal branding expert Dan Schawbel. So how are you going to stick out from the millions of other prospective employees flooding your next boss’s inbox? Simple: have somebody within the organization deliver it for you.

I realize this may seem like a pretty simple observation, having someone within the organization advocate for you will improve your chances of getting that foot in the door for your interview. We’ve all heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” so what’s your excuse for not knowing the people who have the ability to put you where you want to go? The best excuse is not having an excuse at all. We all know or have heard of somebody who’s uncle gave him or her a sweet gig right out of college, but unless you’re that lucky niece or nephew, you need a strategy. This edition is dedicated to those who are still in the halls of academia, but expect the follow-up for recent grads and other young professionals soon.

So as a student, how are you going to meet those people that can introduce you to your future employer? I’ve broken it down into an easy-to-follow step-by-step process for you.

1. Get Involved Early

Whatever it is that you’re interested in, find a club or an organization on campus that you can pursue that interest. If there is no club, find out what you need to start one: it’ll give you leadership experience, and put you in a great position to meet people who share your interests. Your colleagues and peers of today are going to be tomorrow’s leaders, so make a positive and lasting impression.

2. Introduce Yourself

When you go to the meetings, introduce yourself. Be friendly, polite, and always show a willingness to learn. If you actually participate in the meetings and make yourself known, those upperclassmen will remember you after they graduate. I can’t tell you how many stories here at Ohio University are tossed around about mentors hiring their former mentees from the Public Relations Student Society (PRSSA) once they get into the workforce.

3. USE SOCIAL MEDIA

I’ve already talked about using Twitter to expand your network, twice, but there are tons of social media outlets that can help connect you with the right people. If you’re inclined to write, join a blogging network like BrazenCareerist, create a profile on LinkedIn and join a few groups. Just like Sauron’s ring was forged to rule them all and in the darkness bind them, one principle above all rules the social media waves: PARTICIPATION. It’s not enough just to have an account on a site- read, comment, share, discuss. Let your voice be heard! Which leads us to number…

4. Speak Intelligently

If you’re reaching out to people who likely have busy schedules, it’s important to speak (or write) in a fashion that shows that you are more intelligent than a second grader. That’s not to say that you’re expected to be Tolstoy, just make sure that you are contributing something worthwhile to the conversation. Spelling and grammar rules do apply. Once you’ve found that person or persons that you’ve made a strong connection with, it’s very important to…

5. Stay in Touch

If you spark a great friendship with the hiring director at your dream job in November, but you’re not going to be graduating until the following June, it’s important to maintain that contact. Questions are a great way to keep touch: they give you a reason to reach out beyond, “Hey! Remember me? Well, I’m still here. Welp…see you later!” Additionally, questions show that you care about knowing more about the person or his or her organization.

So what are you waiting for? Go out there and shake some hands! How do you network? What ways do you stay in touch?