What's the best way to go around HR? [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

If, for instance, you find (and contact) a senior office (the president/ CEO, VP, CFO, CMO, etc) of a company, and send them a networking query, is this a legitimate way of seeking if there are openings in a company? Note: I wouldn't directly ASK for a position (that's not what networking is for) but to address what's going on in the industry as a whole and in their company more specifically. Also, what is the best way to go about doing so without scaring away a potential job offer (or client to perform services for)?

manpreet 2 years ago

If you know someone well enough to use them as a networking contact into their company, you can just ask them directly what you should do. If it's possible to bypass part of the HR process, they may shepherd that.

If you don't have a genuine relationship with this person (i.e. they would feel comfortable giving you a personal reference), trying to use them as a means to get around HR or any of the normal hiring processes has a high potential to backfire. Most people don't like to have their name dropped by someone to whom they are not close and upon hearing that happen may even go so far as having a negative impact on your hiring possibilities. In other words, nobody likes to be used.

Additionally, I would advise against trying to use high level direct contacts of people you don't actually know. Most executives are busy and on the chance they even see your inquiry, they are not likely to respond positively because they don't actually know you