By Lisa Quast, Forbes.com
Special to Online Career Tips
Still not obtaining that coveted job, even though you’ve been doing the right prep work? Maybe it’s time to find internal “sponsors” or “coaches.” These are company insiders who can provide tips about the company and potential positions. They can also serve as your personal advocates or references as you compete for jobs within the company.
The difference between an internal sponsor and coach
An internal sponsor is someone who works at the company, provides you with background information and answers your questions. They will also step up and vouch for you and your abilities and speak with the hiring manager and the assigned HR recruiter on your behalf. An internal coach is someone who provides you with the information you need, but maybe doesn’t know you well enough to agree to recommend you or doesn’t know the hiring manager well enough to go speak to them about you (or just aren’t comfortable doing so). Use an internal coach to guide you through the company hiring process and to help you avoid pitfalls.
How to find inside sponsors or coaches
Spread the word through your existing network that you’re looking for someone who works at XYZ company. If no one knows of someone, you may need to conduct some new networking activities, such as researching local business associations or contacting your local chamber of commerce for upcoming events. Create a list of all the networking functions you can attend as quickly as possible to search for someone (or someone who knows someone) who works at XYZ company.
It’s the old friend of a friend of a friend situation
Finding someone often comes down to locating a person who knows someone who happens to work where you’d like to work. For example, a career coaching client of mine attended a women’s association networking event and ran into an old friend from high school. Her high school friend introduced my client to someone else at the networking event who just happened to have a sister who worked at the company with one of the open positions my client wanted. See how this works?
They exchanged business cards and the next day my client emailed the woman a quick note letting her know how much she enjoyed meeting her at the networking event — and that she also looked forward to meeting her sister to discuss XYZ company. Later that day when she checked email, she had already received a response. Even better, the response email was copied to the woman’s sister and included all her contact information. My client called the sister and they arranged to meet for coffee later that week.
The goal of a savvy job seeker
Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to find at least one or more internal sponsors or coaches who will help you gain entrance into your desired company. Because they’re insiders, they usually know the key players, understand the culture, the environment and the politics and, hopefully, they’ll even know the hiring manager for the position you’re seeking.
If you already know an insider and they’re familiar with your work background, education and skills – great! Find out if they are willing to act as your sponsor and put in a good word about you to the hiring manager. Taking that one step further, ask if they’re willing to be a reference or even write you a letter of recommendation (either hard copy or via LinkedIn).
If you don’t know anyone inside your target company, network as much as possible to find someone who works there so you can obtain an introduction and sit down with them for a discussion. Then, have a list of questions ready, such as: What is the culture and environment like at the company? What do you know about the hiring manager and the department where this open position resides? Is there anything you recommend that I do to prepare myself for the interview?
No matter what – be professional
Whether or not you obtain the job you’re seeking, don’t forget to thank your internal sponsors and/or coaches for their help. At a minimum, send them a handwritten thank you note. Better yet, send them the thank you note and take them out for lunch. Remember, even if it didn’t work out for this position, they still might be able to help you in the future. Treat them kindly, appreciatively and with the utmost of respect and you just might gain yourself a career advocate.
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