1.
Job Networking for
Product Marketing &
Product Management
CHARLES DIMOV
@CDIMOV
STRATEGYD.ORG

2.
Who is Charles?
• I am a: Marketing Leader
Business Manager
Product Manager
Engineer
• I am NOT: a “NETWORKING EXPERT”
• I am: Professional like you
Job eliminated
Suddenly Looking for my next Role

3.
Why?
• “80% of today’s jobs are landed through networking”
(http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/80-of-today-s-jobs-are-landed-through-networking)
• “hidden job market… accounts for up to 80% of hires”
(Forbes – “6 WaysToCrack The 'Hidden' Job Market” – Dec2013)
• “Over 80% of today's jobs aren't advertised”
(CNN Money – “The hidden job market” – Jun2009)
• “80% of Job Openings Aren't Advertised”
(PayScale Career News – Mar2013)

4.
Why?
• 7 Networking Books
• “Networking Experts”
• Advice … about …
Get Meeting
After Meeting
Meeting

5.
Why?
• Frustrated
• Found very few Stats …
to help understand if I was on track …
orWay OFFTrack

6.
ADDRESSING
• MythBusting
• Personal Stats
• Networking Core
• Best Practices
• NOTADDRESSED: - Pre Meeting: How to get
- Post Meeting: Followup

7.
Networking Myth
• “The “80% hidden” job market may have
been the reality. 10 or 20 years ago”
• “It’s closer to 38% according to Hansen’s
report
• ”2009-10 JOLTS data by Jobfully showed
that number to be 40%”
• Higher Level: more focus on Networking
• KEY: 40% STILL A BIG NUMBER
Sources:(1)“Busting“80%ofAllJobsareHidden”Myth,”JonathanBlaineMusings,Nov2012<http://ow.ly/Q2pEA>
(2)“80%ofJobOpeningsAreUnadvertised”StevenRothberg,Mar2013<http://ow.ly/Q2pKv>

8.
My Stats
“Hello” Response
Applications / OutReach
Company Interview
STOP
WIP
WORKING
WORKING
STOP
SELECTIVE

9.
My Stats

10.
Networking

11.
Networking
Photo:JuliaFreeman-Woolpert,Oct2006<http://ow.ly/Q2OGY>

12.
Networking TOO
• Targeted - Informational Interview
-Value Pitch
• Open - Informational Interview
- GettingWord Out
- Connecting to Decision Maker
• Opportunistic - Getting CV out of the “Black Hole”

13.
Meeting: Open
• Build Rapport
• Seek knowledge: - MarketTrends
- Growth Pockets
-Where would they Search?
- If Colleague: How would they sell you?
• Connections: - “Is there someone you know at XYZ firm?”
- “Do you know anyVP Marketing in High-Tech?”
- “With whom else would you suggest I talk?”

14.
Meeting: Opportunistic
• Build Rapport
• Application: - “Can you refer me internally for posted role … ?”
- “Can you tell me who the hiring manager is for … ?”
- “I applied, any chance you can forward my CV to Bob,
hiring Manager?
• Information:- “What can you tell me about the role/ dept /firm ?”
- “What are the Key Challenges for this role / dept?”
- “Is there a key Burning Imperative for this role?”
- “What is the manager like?”

15.
Meeting: Targeted - Informational
• Build Rapport
• Information:- “What can you tell me about the role/ dept /firm ?”
- “What are the Key Challenges for this role / dept?”
- “Is there a key Burning Imperative for this role?”
- “What is the manager like?”
- “What are some of the Pain Points in Marketing?”
- “Tell me why you like XYZ”
- “What are the Key Strengths of XYZ?”
• Lower Level Connection … to provide guidance
• Connection: - “Can you connect me with Director Marketing?”

16.
Meeting: Targeted – Value Pitch
• Build Rapport
• Information:- “What is working particularly well at XYZ Marketing?”
- “What is your growth direction?
- “What are you finding to be the greatest challenge on
this growth path?”
• Value Pitch: - “Is there anything I can help you with as I have done…”
- “Would you consider a proposal – to help solve that
challenge?”
- “If I could work on that challenge, would you consider a
proposal on how I could help with that?”

17.
Recommend

18.
Comments & Best Practices

19.
Networking for
Product Marketing &
Product Management
CHARLES DIMOV
@CDIMOV
STRATEGYD.ORG