Prospecting your way into a job

As I pursue my next career move, I'm trying to be as selective as possible to find something I'm passionate about and that I can stay at for a while. 

Most of us know that the most effective way to land a job is to go above/beyond the application and reach out to the Recuiter/sales team/manager. Problem is, I'm having a hard time with these folks even accepting a LinkedIn request. I'm usually fairly effective when it comes to personal outreach - but even reaching out to sales reps to ASK about what their company is like...crickets. 

Has anyone been experiencing the same thing? I find it wild and honestly a tad disheartening when sales folks don't even want to network. I'm in IT security too where having referall connections really pays off.  
🎯 Career Development
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11
tightlines
Politicker
7
Account Executive
I had this problem until I started putting why they should hire me into my LinkedIn inmail’s. Went to the VPs of those teams as well
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Great approach
nomdeguerre
Executive
5
Account executive
I can’t say for sure, but there are a lot of sales people hurting out there right now not making quota, so they may just be really overwhelmed at the moment and not have the bandwidth.

I know that doesn’t help you, but just some perspective.
Coastal_crusher
Politicker
2
Sales Director
That’s some great perspective, thanks chap
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
What worked for me as a connection was the person telling me why she wanted to connect. I would have personally accepted the request anyway, but having her let me know it was because she was considering working for the same employer and had some questions that had me not second-guess the request.

The other thing I can think of is that people may just not be on LI all that much. I might check it once a week.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Same. I can barely get on this site. It's been super slow and buggy the past week.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Very slow. Speaking from experience, maintaining a good experience on a message board is difficult.
bandabanda
Tycoon
2
Senior AE Mid Market
100%. The character limit on a connection request makes you be super succinct. Get to the point and tell them why you’re reaching out - to get their thoughts as a peer.

Worked pretty well for me but that was months ago while the job market was much hotter.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
A lot of reps are in a hard place with the struggle of closing deals right now, so if they aren't being responsive to you, I wouldn't take it personally
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
2
Sales Rep
Is that you reaching out the HR or the Hiring Manager? I would put a focus towards HR since they live on LinkedIn. Not saying I would message managers, I just move towards HR if that is whats holding me up.

LinkedIn also has filters for people you previously worked at your company, so I would message those reps too.
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
Those filters are very underrated. Was the best way for me to find the exact people I needed 👌
detectivegibbles
Politicker
1
Sales Director
No one's on LinkedIn anymore and only on Bravado, that's the problem ;)

Joking (somewhat), but keep being persistent. Tough times out there right now.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
If networking were easy it would be your….

Just keep playing the game and reaching out to decision makers and other people who might be able to help you out.

Good luck!
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
1
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I think with how things are going at this time, sales reps are afraid of losing their jobs over the smallest thing, whether they are hitting their numbers or not.
chomaianh
Executive
1
BDR
I think it's a bandwidth thing - but also put a reason as to why you want to connect! I find that's helped me increase my connects and replies :)
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