How to “sneak” your way into a job

There really isn’t a way to sneak into a job, per se. There are no squatters’ rights for breaking into the CEO’s office and staking your claim. Hacking into the payroll system and adding yourself in as an employee is also a risky option. The best way to “sneak” into a job is by simply employing the method of talking to people and asking lots of questions. Socrates was right, at least until he drank that poison.

Allow me to give you a real-world example.

About 10 years ago a friend of a friend’s son asked if he could meet with my boss and me regarding our jobs. He was a senior in high school and was trying to decide if he wanted to pursue a career in Accounting. He came prepared with a list of questions regarding our industry, what a typical day of an accountant was like and what area of accountancy we would or would not recommend. This kid was wise beyond his years.

Two years later he followed up as he was about to begin his junior year studying accounting. It just so happened that we had an intern level position available and we brought him on for the summer. It was a great experience for him and further cemented his future career plans.

Today, he is a CPA and enjoys what he does. Not everyone can say that they enjoy what they do or that they got started in their career in the right specialty.

My biggest criticism of the Educational system in the United States (and it may be similar in other countries), is that there are very little resources towards developing skills such as how to write a resumé or apply for a job or prepare for a job interview. In the absence of such resources, you are going to have to go out and find the answers yourself, like our friend did.

So where do you start?

Who Do You Know?

Think of someone who you respect in your field who you would like to work for or who does a job that you would like to do someday. If you are a Sous Chef and wish to run your own kitchen. Maybe the person who you want to talk to works for a larger restaurant as an Executive Chef.

But why stop there? Would it not hurt to talk to a successful restaurant owner, a food critic, another Sous Chefs for a larger restaurant or a manager?

What do you ask?

Chris Gardner, who went from raising his infant son on the streets (his story was shown in the Biopic The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith) was able to get himself a position with a financial firm in an ingenious way. He was admiring a stockbroker’s car and when the stockbroker saw him, he simply asked:

“I just have two questions for you. What do you do, and how do you do it?”

You can get a lot out of just asking those 2 questions. Even just asking “what do you do?” can give you a ton of information regarding a position. Ultimately, this can help foment an idea if your career goal is achievable and still desirable.

As I mentioned above in terms of who to talk to, I think a very strong question is:

“If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”

An even better follow up, “here is my resume and experience, would you change anything or have any recommendations as to where I should go from here?”

The Question You Should NOT Ask

So you have set aside time, hopefully through an appointment or lunch meeting or zoom meeting and have prepared industry, company and position related questions. I always recommend going into these types of meetings like a journalist ready to write and article after an in-depth interview. It’s great to come armed with lots of questions.

If you think about it, it is actually quite flattering for the interviewee. They are being treated as an expert in their field and they get to talk about themselves. Who doesn’t like to talk about themselves?

There is, however, one question you should never ever under any circumstances ask in these types of meetings.

Any variation of the question: “Do you have a job for me?”

If you ask this questions, you have now turned what was a joyous opportunity to learn more and get some sage advice into grovelling for a job. You have put your newest friend and resource in the uncomfortable position of having to turn you down and dash your hopes.

In the meeting you have shown a resume and gone over your experience and career goals. If they have a job for you, they will tell you.

How to End the Meeting

The best way to end the meeting is ask “who should I talk to next?”

At this point, the light bulb might click and you may be referred to a firm that is looking for someone. In any case you are expanding your network. The more people you talk to, the better idea you will get about the industry, the job market in that particular geographic area and possible other resources.

The best thing you can do in a job search is ask for help. You really do not have to go it alone. There are people around you who can and will help.

Conclusion

To tie this all together, try and think of people in your industry or area of expertise that would be good mentors. Schedule a meeting with them to ask for career advice. It might not hurt to let them know that you are not going to ask them for a job, but are looking for some advice in your job search.

Questions to ask should include:

“What do you do?”
“What is a typical day for you at work?”
“What do you think of my resume? Would you recommend any changes?”
“What would you do if you were in my shoes?”
Industry specific questions regarding trends, the labor market and the geographic area.
Company specific questions and then finally job specific questions with respect to the person you are talking to.
“Who should I talk to next?”
Any variation of these questions is good too!

In the end, you could very well be remembered or come in a conversation as one of these people you talk to may know someone looking for someone fitting your description. Not many people do this, so you will make an impression. This is a great way to “sneak” into a job in the hidden job market.