| Networking is the number one method for securing a | | | | specialty, highlighting any event that illustrates your |
| new position or career. No, it doesn't mean going to | | | | expertise in a particular area. This is also where you |
| large gatherings, being uncomfortable talking to | | | | tell them that you would like to set up an |
| strangers, and giving away as many cards as you | | | | informational meeting where they, experts in their |
| can. It does mean connecting with people so that | | | | own field, could enlighten you regarding the newest |
| they can help you further your goals to either finding | | | | industry trends, who the industry leaders are, |
| a new job or new career or even keeping the one | | | | contacts they may have that might be helpful to you |
| you have. | | | | in providing further information. It has been my |
| Networking is nothing more sharing time, information, | | | | experience that when my clients don't ask for a job |
| resources, and opportunities. Success is not just | | | | or job referral but rather for that person to share |
| about what you know, it's who you know...and how | | | | their knowledge and expertise, they often walk |
| you keep it all organized. Since 80 percent of jobs | | | | away with excellent referrals and sometimes |
| are found through networking, you can't rely solely | | | | potential job situations. |
| on the big online job boards or the Sunday Help | | | | 3. Setting up the Informational Interview. |
| Wanted ads. | | | | The goal of this meeting is to walk away with at |
| So let's get started. To effectively utilize your | | | | least two names of people in the industry/company |
| extended network of professional and personal | | | | in which you have an interest in working. |
| relationships you have to have a plan. These five | | | | Using your list from step 1, create a chart that |
| steps should help you maximize the time you spend | | | | indicates how close your relationship with them is, |
| networking. | | | | their place of work, position, what you hope to gain |
| 1. Develop Your Contact List. | | | | from them and what, if anything you can do for |
| Networking contacts can be divided into two | | | | them. Start with people you know well first. Strong |
| different categories.a) These consist of friends, | | | | ties provide people with greater motivation to be of |
| relatives, neighbors, parents of your children's friends, | | | | assistance and are more easily available and |
| etc. These are people who do not necessarily work | | | | accessible. It is also a great way to practice your |
| in nor know much about your industry. They know | | | | script and learn how to improvise based on questions |
| you on a personal level and might be a good to | | | | that come up. |
| source of learning more about how others view you, | | | | 4. Become the Expert. |
| your strengths, and your weaknesses. They might be | | | | These informational meetings should be a great |
| able to provide information on different industries | | | | source of current information, not only on the |
| that could utilize your experience and skills based on | | | | industry and the companies involved but also on the |
| their knowledge base. Additionally, they may have | | | | people within the industry and the various jobs and |
| access to people in your industry through their social | | | | positions they hold. This also affords you the |
| network and could be a good source of referral.b) | | | | opportunity to find out where the needs or |
| People from your industry such as past and current | | | | weaknesses are in the industry and how you can |
| co-workers, former and current managers, former or | | | | become the expert at filling these needs. |
| current clients, industry analysts, recruiters, members | | | | 5. Conferences, Associations, Groups |
| of professional associations, industry convention | | | | Find out about conferences being held in your area of |
| planners, and industry journalists. This group of | | | | interest. Attending enables you to extend your |
| professionals would be a great source of industry | | | | network and create greater possibilities for job |
| and specific company information, knowledge of | | | | opportunities. Before you go, create a plan of which |
| company activities (whether they are hiring or firing), | | | | groups/companies/people you want to make sure |
| an excellent source of referrals to potential hiring | | | | you make contact with. Conference planners |
| managers, great exposure to the largest number of | | | | generally provide this information at sign up. If the |
| people that could impact your job search significantly. | | | | cost of attendance is prohibitive, see if there is any |
| 2. Create the Script. | | | | way for you to work or volunteer at the conference |
| For many people, networking is uncomfortable for a | | | | providing you with free or greatly reduced entrance |
| variety of reasons. To ensure that you are not | | | | cost. Join any alumni or business associations and |
| stymied by the process, it is best to create a | | | | groups that provide a forum for members. By getting |
| script(s) for you to use when contacting a variety of | | | | lists of members it will enable you to search out |
| people across a broad spectrum of industries, | | | | those that might be able to provide assistance in |
| specialties, and degrees of separation. This script, no | | | | your job search. |
| longer than one minute in length, should remind them | | | | Now the rest is up to you. Good luck with your |
| or inform them of your background and areas of | | | | networking. |