Etiquette in asking someone about a job 1

[Calif]

Hello everyone:

Last week I went to a networking meeting and met a person that works for a medium size engineering firm. I am looking for a structural engineers job (building design) and the person is a bridge engineer and has about 30 years experience. Nice guy and we had a good conversation talking about bridges. He handed me his card and I figure that I am not a bridge engineer and our conversation. I figure that I will check out his company and found out that they do building design and they have an opening for a structural engineer with my experience and time except that they wanted someone with experience in BIM. I do not have that and do not see this being implemented at my current job due to the architects and the projects we do. I applied for the job opening that was there but I did not call the guy that I met there who gave me his information. Do you think I should contact him and ask if the job opening is still available or maybe ask if he could help me get an interview? I do not like asking people for help and feel like I am impinging on someone I barely know just so I can get a better job. The company looks like it is a good oppurtunity for a person like me to grow in my career and oppurtunities to learn and improve in my skills as a engineer. What do you guys think?

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[zdas04]

I would call the guy and tell him that you've put in for the opening and ask what kind of a company is it to work for. If he likes you then he may intervene on his own. If he doesn't like you he'll certainly intervene.

David

 

[csd72]

Yes, agree with zdas04. It may not be appropriate for you to ask him to help you as he does not really know you, but asking him information about the company.

That way he can make up his own mind if he wanted to put in a good word for you.

 

[IRstuff]

After all, wasn't that the essential purpose of going to the "networking meeting" in the first place, to foster connections with people who may be in the position to help you?

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[TheTick]

You really should have asked before you applied. You should have esked for a referral if a full recommendation seemed like too much. At least then you could have attached an insider's name to the effort.

It doesn't hurt to call. A lot of networking just doesn't get done for fear of calling. Call your connection, tell him you applied, see what happens.

 

[des2010]

You absolutely should give him a call - regardless of whether he can help you in this instance. After nearly 20 years in the consulting business, I have seen technical ability weed out those who can from those who can't early in their careers. However, of all the engineers I know with technical skills, those who succeed (financially) are those that are always striving to develop and maintain their contacts.

Q: How can you tell if an engineer is an extrovert?
A: He's looking at the other person's shoes.

Best of luck.

 

[brandonbw]

Just place yourself in his shoes and ask the way you would want to be asked if the situation was reversed. It's not rude at all to contact him, especially since you got his card at a networking thing. Don't beat around the bush either, and just be upfront. If he is older, he understands how contacts and getting your feet in the door work in this industry.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering

http://bwengr.com