Use Networking as a Major Strategy When Searching For a Job
Studies have shown that 80 percent of jobs are found through networking while 20 percent are found through advertising. Because of networking, jobs are found through people you know, referrals, informational interviews and direct calling of employers.
Networking is a powerful tool that can help you in all aspects of your career. You should try to continuously network regardless of your employment situation.
Contact People You Know, Ask For Referrals
One of the easiest ways to get job leads is to contact people you know. Your friends, relatives and business acquaintances are all people who can help you.
When contacting these people, make sure to clearly define the type of position you want. Without a clear description, it will be more difficult for them to help you.
Your contacts may work for companies that interest you and you may want to talk with these people first. Do some research on these company Web sites to find out if any jobs are posted.
Even though jobs may be advertised on a companys Web site, you will be getting a referral from someone within the organization. This will carry more weight than someone blindly applying for a position.
Because all available jobs arent always posted on an organizations Web site, your contacts should be able to let you know about additional opportunities. Also, when new opportunities arise, they may contact you directly about jobs that arent yet advertised to the public.
When talking with your contacts, you also want to ask them for referrals to other people they know outside their organization. If you have companies in mind that you would like to work for, ask your contacts if they know anyone at these firms.
If you dont have any companies in mind, ask your contacts to connect you with other individuals who you can talk to about your situation. When approaching these individuals, tell them you would like to brainstorm with them about your career and get advice.
No matter who you talk to about your job situation, its important that you either have an existing relationship or that you are starting to form a relationship with these individuals. Depending on who you talk to, its not always a good idea to just ask for a job.
Instead, approach individuals with the mindset that you will just talk about your job situation. After talking with people, they will most likely offer to help you with your job search (especially if their firm is in hiring mode).
Attend Networking Events
Another important way to get job leads is to attend networking events. At these events, one of your goals should be to meet a few individuals with whom you can start to build a relationship.
When meeting people for the first time, it may not be effective to ask them for referrals or job leads right away. These individuals want to get to know you and feel comfortable with you before they will open up their Rolodex.
Be patient with these individuals because you also need to get to know them. You want to make sure these new contacts are worth adding to your network.
One good strategy is to offer to help these individuals first before you ask them for referrals or job leads. If they do need help with something, make sure to follow through. This is key when building any relationship.
You want to form a good impression and show your new contacts that you are serious and value the relationship. Otherwise, they will probably not help you when you ask them.
When deciding which events to attend, do some initial research so you can maximize your time efficiently. You want to make sure you are attending events that will give you the best chance to meet the right individuals.
The right individuals could be people who work in companies or industries that interest you or people who have job functions that match your skill sets. You should be able to find some of this information on the Web site of a networking organization.
In addition, contact the event organizer to ask who will be attending. No one will know better about the attendees than the person who organizes the events.
Final Thought
Remember that networking is an important component of the job search. No matter how you look for a job, make sure that networking is one of your strategies. Because many opportunities arent advertised anywhere, networking will uncover many more leads than the Internet or agencies.
Jason Jacobsohn is a seasoned networker who believes in relationship building as a key component to business success. He enjoys helping others succeed by making introductions, planning events, and sharing resources. In addition, Jacobsohn enthusiastically shares resources with his network through his e-mail newsletter, Network Your Way to Success, and http://www.jacobsohn.com, a comprehensive business and networking resources Web site. Further, he shares an additional perspective through his blog at http://www.networkinginsight.com
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