50-5-250 Principle: Your next job is already in your network

Most know that I wrote a book: HIRED: CUT YOUR CAREER SEARCH TIME IN HALF, George C. Murray | Kirk House Publisher (kirkhousepublishers.com). What you may not know is the “why” behind the what. In my first career transition in my mid-40s, I was frustrated for a few months in that there wasn’t a simple, short, but effective book I could read and gain knowledge of this “job transition” minefield. Sure, there were books on effective networking and on interviewing, to name a few, but none that said “From the time you left to the time you land your next job do…,”

Since then, I’ve kept the pulse of both the job market and those who navigate the job market, and even with a low unemployment rate, competition is fierce. I also continue to improve the process to land a job, and with some help, I created this 50-5-250 Principle. The result: I secured my next professional job in 35 days—and you can too!

 First: 

You will want to create a concise but effective way to introduce yourself to others who would want to pass your name to a well-connected person. Who knows you better than you? This would be a way for those you meet to have an effective but specific way to introduce you to a new potential connection. In my book I reference this as your “Value Proposition,” that’ll you want to incorporate in the introduction. Less is better, and I try to stay to three, no more than four sentences.

Next: 50

Out of all your LinkedIn connections, whether 500 or 5,000, or whatever—if you are a super networker. Based on your career direction, position, and industry focus, you want to select just 50 of those connections. Select those you feel are the most influential, it could be a hiring manager or an influencer to the higher manager—and create your Top 50. For me, this was CEOs, CFOs, board members, and Private Equity Firms; again, people that could potentially hire me or know of an opportunity.

Pick 5: 

Go to the LinkedIn profiles of those Top 50 and review their connections—under their LinkedIn Profile Header, under their name, and number of connections. Peruse those 2nd Degree connections that fit the category criteria (Potential Hiring managers or Influencers) that you are not currently connected with. Reach out in an email to those first-level connections with a brief note, something like, “Ryan, I hope you're doing well. As you may know, I am exploring new opportunities, and noticed five great people that you are connected to that I am not. Are you willing to introduce me? BTW, here is an introduction you may use.” If you are well connected to them (and you should be), and you already did the work (your introduction), they are doing their good Samaritan deed in helping you. Now with 250 powerful new connections, let the network mining begin. 

250

After a day of the initial introduction from those 1st-level connections that have sent out the introductions, you should respond and set up a time to talk (virtually or face-to-face), whichever is more convenient. As stated in one chapter in my book, HIRED, make sure you do some research and be genuinely interested in them—and start by asking how you may help them (again read my book). However, by the end of these introductions and discussions, you should be close to your next career opportunity.

For me, it took only 112 of the 250 people—and I had 3 offers in 35 days and started my next job on day 40! You can too. Need help contact me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George Murray is a Global Operations, Supply Chain Leader & Army Veteran | Award-winning Author: HIRED: CUT YOUR CAREER SEARCH TIME IN HALF | George’s Why: To inspire business owners and professionals to go from where they are today to where they want to be tomorrow and #getbetter A keynote speaker, training and workshops on career, job transition, business transformation. George is self-described as Tenaciously Optimistic.