markewicken in Job InterviewJob Search

Name dropping is “Good.”

We have all heard the expression: “It’s not what you know but who you know.” During your job search the more people you know, the better the chances you will find a job. The more people who say good things about you, the better as well. To have a trusted employee say good things about you to their boss might get you in the door faster than just sending your resumé and awaiting the call. If you know someone who works for a company you want to work for, contact them, let them know your intention and ask for permission to use their name in your introduction. Be professional and polite and if they say yes, you could be one step closer to getting an interview.

Next Read: Networking with everyone is the key to finding a job. »

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.