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Networking is the most effective job search method, but it will require a lot of effort and time (about 75% of your campaign) for you to reap any of its benefits. Networking is like planting a vegetable garden:
First you must plant and cultivate before you can harvest.
Networking Objectives
-
Let people
know you are seeking employment.
-
Discover
the hidden job market – those jobs that are not advertised.
-
Increase your knowledge of the industry, companies, and/or
occupation.
-
Increase
your knowledge about a new or related career field.
Follow these
steps to develop your network:
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Identify your network
─
List as many people as you can.
Include friends, family, neighbors, former employers, current and former co-workers,
current/former teachers and classmates, religious affiliates, social contacts, etc.
-
Select the most promising contacts
─
Select
people in your network who can give you the information, resources, and support
you need to help with your job search. Plan to call (or write or email) them to see if you can arrange a meeting. Specify that you will only need 15 ─20 minutes of their time. Ask for information about:
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Companies that employ people with your skills
-
Leads to any possible openings
-
Other people to contact who may have information, resources, or support for you (Your goal is to get 2 ─3 more names.)
Follow-up
─ Keep careful records of all the people you contact, and always send a thank you note acknowledging any information you
receive. Contact every lead you are given, and keep in touch with all your contacts periodically to inform them of your progress and keep you on their mind.
Expand your network
─ Continue to generate a list of people you can
contact. Use meetings and conferences, professional associations, and social gatherings to add people to your network. You may need to contact people directly without a referral from someone in your existing network.
For example, collect
names from newspaper articles, company directories, phone books, trade journals, company brochures,
and corporate web sites.
Use the steps for conducting informational interviews for these contacts.
Building a strong network can be the most
effective way to find employment, because your contacts can:
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Introduce you to others in their network.
-
Refer you to others for more information.
-
Make suggestions of other businesses or agencies
that may be of interest to you.
-
Give you feedback on your job search strategy,
resumé, and correspondence.
-
Help you stay motivated by their encouragement
and support.
People Skills Necessary for
Networking:
Assertiveness – Take
responsibility for getting what you want, and do not apologize for asking
for help. Remember, networking is a two-way street of people sharing what
they know to meet mutual goals.
Excellent Listening Skills –
Most of your networking will require listening for information and answers
to questions. Good listeners have good connections.
Asking Good Questions – Good
questions indicate good listening skills. They give people a clear
understanding of what you want from them and demonstrate good thinking
skills.
Presenting Yourself Attractively
– Communicate self-confidence.
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