Need job advice, would you do this to help land a job.?

[fatdog1993]

For the last few years I've been trying to get into this company which pays good, has great job security and room for advancement if educated. Well my best friend who I've know for almost 30 years, since we were about 5, works for this company his uncle got him in. To increase my chances of getting into this company I'm in a certificate program at a local college which will guarantee some testing and an interview with this company. Which is great because I lost my job a few months ago and times are extremely tough. To increase my chances of getting in I asked my friend if it would be ok if I contacted his uncle to see if he could help my chances of getting in. When I asked my friend he ignored me and changed topics. I was hoping he would say no problem, I'll ask him myself but his reaction was nothing like that. I don't know if he has something against me or what.

The method of contacting his uncle is through facebook, actually his wife's account. YES, I know its not the traditional route but times are tuff. I don't want to waste this opportunity, I've been trying to think of anyone who could help me but this is the only thing I could think of. I get one interview, and I have to compete with other guys in the program. Like I said I don't want to waste this chance.

I've played cards with the uncle once and I've been to their home when my friend fixed his aunts lab top. I'm not great friends with them but they have an idea of who I am. So that's why I'm going through facebook. It would be great if he could pull me into the company, but all I'm asking for is to put a good word in for me. I already have an associates degree, just about completed this certificate and will begin my bachelors in the spring. I'm qualified for a job with this company, I just feel like I need some inside help.

I don't want some 18 year old who has no work experience or schooling to beat me out just because he has a family member in the company. Which is just about how my friend got in.

[Opal M]

i think you should confront them on the phone or in person the next time you visit them because i don't think contacting them through facebook sends them the message that your serious.

the different between the 18 year old kid with a family relationship and you ...is that you have experience...am i right?

for example...this kid wants to get an art job and sell to people...he is great in art and so are you... but he has just started the job so he doesn't know what people want or maybe how much is art is worth or how to negotiate... or which group of people he should target. You on the other hand hand have done this longer so your experience makes you ten times better at actually selling the work.

Don't mind the kid too much ... think of it this way...if he wan't related to the boss guy you would have the job faster.

experience is key

[Dominant Factor]

Do not be afraid to use your network to your advantage. I think you are on the right track by contacting your friend's uncle. Like you said, you aren't asking him for the job, but you are just looking for a good word. Contact him through Facebook and then ask if you could talk to him on the phone about the job for 15 minutes or so.

In the meantime, join Linkedin.com. It's a fantastic professional networking site and it has greatly helped me land the last two jobs I've had. I hope this helps!