Networking, the key to finding work

Networking the key to finding work

http://www.australianit.news.com.au

Jennifer Foreshew | March 10, 2009

AFTER 20 years with BT Financial Group, the wealth management arm of Westpac Group, Lewis Horwitz has joined the swelling ranks of job seekers.

Mr Horwitz, 53, of Sydney, was BT Financial Group’s applications services head, but was made redundant after the Westpac-St George bank merger.

“At this time, to be unemployed is a real challenge, especially at senior level, or any level,” he said.

Mr Horwitz is looking at chief information officer, chief technology officer or department head roles in the technology sector, or chief executive roles in community or not-for-profit organisations. “I am extremely worried because I do not know how long it is going to take to find a role,” he said.

Since the economic crisis hit late last year, recruiters have received a stream of resumes from Australian and overseas IT senior professionals seeking work.

“We are seeing more senior candidates and it is people either out of work or they are about to be out of work,” Peoplebank chief operating officer Peter Acheson said.

He recommended that those leaving a job did not burn bridges with their employer because they would be important as referees, as well as a possible source of work.

“It is really important to stay positive, upbeat and confident,” Mr Acheson said.

Those without a job should identify four or five companies they would ideally like to work for, he said.

“Once you work that out, you can find out who the recruitment firms are for those companies and target them,” Mr Acheson said.

“Moreover, you can find people in your personal network who work with those companies and ask them to assist in getting you some sort of introduction.”

It was best not to bombard a network with resumes, he warned, and always ensure meetings were face to face.

Mr Acheson also advocated job seekers take a short-term contract to take the heat off, financially, and to extend their network. “We are starting to see contracting roles around the project opportunities,” Mr Acheson said.

“For example, the Commonwealth Bank core systems upgrade — we have just seen a number of roles hit the market in the last few weeks directly related to that project.”

Those looking for work should also be open to a course or program that would help to build skills and expose them to people who could refer them. “When an IT person has been retrenched they should view this as an opportunity, giving them time to consider where they are in their career, turning the situation into a positive,” said Taylor Coulter director Penny Coulter. “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.”

Ms Coulter said those leaving large corporations may wish to work for a small to medium business or a not-for-profit, and they should research those organisations and check out their websites.

“About 70 per cent of senior IT roles do not make it to market,” Ms Coulter said. “It is natural for most executives to hire people they have worked with previously.

“The power of the referral system and the networking world is stronger than ever and it will continue to be so.”

A job seeker should also use all their contacts in the industry, she said. They might not be able to help directly but might know of an opportunity through their contacts.

“It is important to be seen. You almost have to create yourself as a product,” Ms Coulter said.

“Be seen, be known. It is important to be confident, not arrogant, so you instil confidence in the people you meet.”

When Candle ICT recently advertised a senior project manager role, it was inundated with more than 100 applications. “It is such a turnaround from a couple of months ago,” Candle chief executive David Stewart said.

He urged job hunters to be flexible on their rates and salary expectations and he advised people to stay fit and healthy, with a positive mental attitude.

“If people start to get a bit depressed and their self-esteem starts to drop, that is picked up, either consciously or subconsciously, by a prospective employer,” he said.

Senior people needed to be aware it might take up to six months to find a new position.

Theo Vereker’s role as national infrastructure sales manager at Kaz Group ended when he was made redundant in mid-October. Last month he secured a role with an international telecommunications company as a global client director.

The 47-year-old was determined to turn the experience into a positive career opportunity.

“When I talked to contacts that I have developed over many years, it generated a number of opportunities and two firm job offers over about three months,” the Melbourne-based father of three said. “Even though I responded to a number of online job advertisements, these did not generate a single interview for me.”

Sophie

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