While reading Shally Steckerl’s blog as part of research into the top LinkedIn connectors in the human resources field, it is easy to see how this popular recruiter rose to the top of the LinkedIn and Fortune 500 heaps. As we have often noted in past blogs, in everything you do in your job search chain – from the first telephone or resume contact through to the thank you letter – add value. Steckerl provides some real gems for job seekers, such as Finding Organization Charts Online With Google.

It’s the question we all prepare for in interviews, where do you see yourself five years from now? Or, what are your future career goals? Knowing what a company’s organization chart looks like, or the line of succession, can provide valuable insight when answering this question. More specifically, it can ensure that your answer aligns with the interests of the company.

Let’s say you answer, I see myself as the head of customer service, your position in your former company. Oops! The company does not have a head of customer service. In effect, you have just highlighted your irrelevance to the company. Instead, this progressive company has streamlined its customer service and product development functions and has created the position of Consumer Product Specialists, to ensure that product experts are answering customers’ questions rather than call agents.
There is great value in reviewing a company’s organization chart before the interview. It takes a little bit of ingenuity to find these charts. Fortunately, Steckerl is providing the thinking for us. Here is one excerpt:

“Would you like to know what the Manufacturing and Logistics organization looks like at Cisco Systems? Enter the following search string in Google:filetype:ppt cisco chart manufacturing logistics (org OR organization)”