Using contacts to get a job...

[Koing]

So what are your views on this?

Do you think it is wrong? Or that is 'how it goes?'

Well I made a few contacts and am looking in to them to see where they may lead. Feels a bit dodgy to look for a job this way but life isn't fair right? Some born insanely rich some less fortunate etc. I am not rich so thus having contacts may help me get a job when I graduate.

Koing

 

[maddogchen]

its how it goes. Its unfair but thats life.

 

[Drakkon]

thats how it goes...the only way im making 60K right outta college is cause of the people i knew...

 

[DougK62]

There is nothing unfair about that at all. I'm actually puzzled that you think it might be dodgy. 100% legit - and also the best way to get a job.

 

[Injury]

It's not how you get the job, it's how you do the job.

 

[Mr N8]

Its life. Without contacts, you don't get into a lot of jobs that you would like.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Its not what you know, its who you know.

Exploit whatever you can to get your job and don't look back.

 

[Hankerton]

Originally posted by: DougK62
There is nothing unfair about that at all. I'm actually puzzled that you think it might be dodgy. 100% legit - and also the best way to get a job.

Agreed

 

[toekramp]

i'd never have a job without contacts

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
Its not what you know, its who you know.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

I've never gotten a job with out a reference from someone in the company...

Then again, I've had some really amazing jobs.

 

[BDawg]

I'm not sure it's fair. One thing to be sure of, if you don't do it, someone else will.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Originally posted by: toekramp
i'd never have a job without contacts

 

[Gibson486]

It's better to work with people you know than people you don't.

 

[mitaiwan82]

it's all about the hookups

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
I've never gotten a job with out a reference from someone in the company...

Then again, I've had some really amazing jobs.

Kids R Us was an amazing job?

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
Its not what you know, its who you know.

Exploit whatever you can to get your job and don't look back.

Cool thanks guys

Was feeling a bit 'guilty' at using a contact I made the other night. Was at this awards evening and I was their to pick up my award (£1k cheque ) and to get some networking done. Got the business card of this Nokia person so I just fired her an email and I'll see where this leads me. Going to email the organise to try and possibly get the contacts of some people in Sony, Mclaren and BP.

Funky how most of the people posted here used a contact but yeah that is how it goes then...

Koing

 

[rh71]

It's unfair but the way it goes. Companies are ok with this since they trust the judgment of their current employees and would rather take that shot than a guy off the street. It's not always the best prospect, but it was less "recruiting" time for the company. That's why they also give out referral bonuses (which I think is a crazy idea these days).

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
I've never gotten a job with out a reference from someone in the company...

Then again, I've had some really amazing jobs.

Kids R Us was an amazing job?

eh... that's a notable exception to the rule...
My first real job, wtf mang.

 

[KEV1N]

It's the only way to get a job

 

[anxman69]

Funny, I just had an awards ceremony also ($2500 check) and also got a few great contacts. I expect two of them will extend me an offer.

-Ankur

 

[Syringer]

And no I don't use contacts to get jobs, I use glasses to appear more intellectual.

 

[loup garou]

There's another way of getting jobs?

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: Syringer
And no I don't use contacts to get jobs, I use glasses to appear more intellectual.

:thumbsdown:

 

[rsd]

Why is it unfair or dodgy? It is a fact that a lot/most jobs are not advertised. So if someone within a company is willing to recommend/vouch for someone they think is qualified for said job, everyone benefits: the company gets someone (supposedly) competent for the position and does not need to advertise and spend time interviewing a million candidates, the referrer possibly gets a monetary reward, and you get a job!

Out of college after I did my masters, I was unemployed for a year. I searched the web for jobs, sent out tons of resumes, went to job fairs..you know how I got my current job? I made a contact through the alumni list of my school..several months later after keeping in touch with him he was able to get me a job at his company doing work that I currently love.