Effective Networking Can Get You a Job!
One of the most important aspects of a job search. Some of the subjects to be addressed are: What is Networking?, Who to Talk To, How to Network, Career Fairs, professional Groups, Special Techniques, Job Clubs, and Electronic Communities.
Networking is probably the most important activity in finding a job. Let everyone you contact know that you are available for a career enhancement opportunity. Few people have natural networking skills. You must overcome the natural tendency to be emotionally unable to communicate your employment state. Learn skills in networking and in facilitating a conversation. Actively engaged in the multitude of networking activities available to you.
While networking, your position statement, brand identification, and business card communicate what you are capable of doing. Develop, 5 second, 30 second, and two-minute statements that successively engage people in you as a competent person with valuable skills and experience. Be alert to opportunities to “close the networking sale” by asking for referrals to others.
Establish an ongoing professional presence in appearance and demeanor. You never know who and when you will meet someone important to your job search.
Family, Friends, and Social and Community Contacts
Let everyone know you are looking for a new job and use a simple statement for those who are not in a business environment. This is the most difficult group to talk to about your situation but may be the most important group you can use to find a job. You are not unemployed; you are available for a career enhancing opportunity.
Electronic Communities
A wide range of social and business networking communities exist on the Internet. Be selective and use only those that are clearly business oriented: such as, alumni, professional, and focused, business related communities. Learn how to use them and consider making an investment in their extended features.
Job Clubs
Join a Job Club and become active as a volunteer. Job Clubs exist to facilitate networking, support, and learning opportunities for unemployed people. They are generally oriented to professional, managerial, and executive people. Some are State sponsored and can be found in unemployment offices. Others are sponsored by religious organizations but operate non-denominationally. Recruiters and HR people provide support by attending and announcing job opportunities. Professional organizations have special interest groups that focus on employment related subjects. Support Teams, often associated with Job Clubs, are small groups of people working together to help each other find work. Some job clubs provide free testing.
Career Fairs and Business Events
Attend as many Career Fairs and business events as possible and practice your networking skills. At Career Fairs that do not have jobs appropriate for you, get the names of HR people you can contact and be sure to get the name of the person who referred you to someone else. Follow-up quickly on any opportunity.
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The latest headlines chronicling the worst round of layoffs in recent memory are enough to make even the most secure professionals contemplate their future. In the current economic climate, can you really rely on skills and expertise alone to secure your next career move? The answer is no.
One of the best steps you can take right now to ensure your career stays on track — whether you are currently working or not - is to network. Your network of contacts, and the people they know, could be your direct link to the next career move that might materialize.
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