Find a job through networking

Whichever way you choose is best! If you know the person's name you can easily look it up using your social network's search engine. LinkedIn, Xing and Facebook all provide a search functionality.

If you don't have this information, professional networks allow you to search by function and/or company.

There are other, more sophisticated, methods like looking for the person in the network of people they might know. You can also look for them in interest groups or fan-pages, such as the person's current or former employer's page, a sports page, the page of their city, etc. If you met the person at an event that was advertised on a social network, you can check the guest list and find their photo, or, even better, their contact details.

To visit Manpower Switzerland's pages click on the following links:

Facebook – LinkedIn  – Xing – Twitter

Manpower's Tip: Not all Manpower consultants are on social networks. If you can’t find the person you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact any Manpower consultant – located anywhere in Switzerland – and ask them either to connect you to the person you were looking for or to give you their contact information. Don't forget to ask them to inform the person of your intent to get in touch.

On recommendation

Once you have found the person you were looking for, see if you share common acquaintances. Such acquaintances could recommend you directly or allow you to mention their name, making it easier for you to get in touch, particularly if the person you are looking for is highly solicited.

• Always explain why you are getting in touch, personalize your communication as much as possible and offer your help in return.

• Keep the intermediary in the loop, so that the person you are contacting feels more bound to reply.

• Don't forget to thank the intermediary afterwards and to keep them informed of the outcome!

Our tip: LinkedIn has a “getting introduced” function and Xing shows the people standing between you and the other person, as a suggestion of how to get in touch with them.

Getting in touch directly

People are more likely to accept one's attempt to get in touch directly on social networks than in real life. You can take advantage of this possibility when you don't have an intermediary. As this means of communication is not widely used yet, you will increase your chances to stand out among other candidates.

Moreover, contacting somebody on a social network gives them access to your public information, allowing them to get an idea of who you are, to learn about your interests, your background, etc.

Getting in touch through a social network has another advantage for the person you are contacting: they can choose when they want to read your message and reply to it.

Our tip: It is common practice to let the person know how you found them on a social network. Explain why you are getting in touch and the why they are of particular interest to you. In other words, explain your motives.

Bingo! Your profile caught the attention of a recruiter who sent you a message or a request to be part of your contacts.

Closely examine their request. Are they contacting you for professional purposes? Have they mentioned an opportunity? Or are they getting in touch for private purposes? In this case, don't immediately ask them for help but try to establish a relationship first.

Reply in a professional manner, maybe alluding to a common interest. This can help connect and might convince them to schedule an interview or a real-life meeting in an informal setting.

If a job opportunity is mentioned, don't waste a minute and learn everything you can about this person’s company using Internet and different social networks.