Have a question about finding, landing or succeeding at internships or entry-level jobs? E-mail them to entrylevelexaminer@gmail.com to be included in an upcoming “Ask Heather.”
Q: I wanted to contact you because my three-month internship with a boutique PR firm in the Chicago suburbs is up tomorrow. They offered to extend my internship until Christmas, but I turned them down because they won't be able to hire me full-time and I feel like I need to focus my efforts on finding a full-time position.
Most colleagues at my agency are well connected. (I've done the LinkedIn research.) Some of my supervisors either know people at agencies I would love to work at or worked there themselves. I'm nervous to ask them for networking help because they offered to extend my internship, but I turned them down. Is it ok to ask them to introduce me or to ask them for contacts at other agencies? And what exactly is the etiquette for these types of situations (via LinkedIn or personal communication)? They said I was great and I'm not leaving on bad terms (they were very understanding of my decision), but I still feel weird asking them for help.
I also wanted your opinion on inquiring about hidden positions. Should I call, try to connect or reach someone via LinkedIn or e-mail? I feel like this is a good time to be looking as the Associated Press put out an article stating jobs rates will slightly increase in Q1 (I like that there is outside reinforcement to my optimistic thinking), but I want to be proactive/assertive without coming off as annoying or doing something that will put people off or not get me results.
A: There is actually a very short answer to your long question: Yes, you can definitely ask for networking help. You’re not leaving on bad terms, and you said they are understanding of your decision. Approach the mentor you’re closest to first (via phone or e-mail), and invite him or her to coffee or lunch to discuss the situation. Because you know these people so well in-person already, I wouldn’t go the LinkedIn route—at least not at first. If people are busy, used LinkedIn connection requests as a back-up.
For “hidden positions,” I always tell students and recent graduates to create a plan—that’s truly the best way to approach the job search today, anyway. Once you have a firm idea of the value you would bring to an organization, reach out and show them. You’d be surprised at the opportunities that arise.
For more career advice, visit my blog at HeatherHuhman.com.
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