Benjamin Todd

Remember, there doesn't need to be an open position.

Employers will often create positions for good people.

Before you take the meeting, use the advice on how to prepare for interviews below.

Four, if you know them less well, ask for a meeting to find out more about jobs in the industry, an informational interview.

If it goes well, ask them to introduce you to people who may be able to hire you, which is effectively getting a referral from this person.

Do not ask them for a job if you promised it was an informational interview.

Five, when asking for introductions, prepare a one-sentence specific description of the types of opportunities you'd like to find.

A good example is something like an entry-level marketing position at a technology startup in education.

Two bad examples are a job in software or a job that fits my skills.

Being concrete makes it easier for people to come up with ideas, so lean towards too narrow rather than too broad.

6.

Failing the above steps, turn to the connections of your connections.

If you have a good friend who knows someone who's able to hire you, then you could directly ask that friend for a referral.

The ideal is to ask someone you've worked for before, where you performed really well.

7.

If your connection is not able to refer you, then ask them to introduce you to people in the industry who are able to hire.

Then we're back to informational interviews, as in step 2.

8.

To find out who your connections know, use LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social networks.

Say you want to work at Airbnb.