Just about every article on job-hunting you’ll read on
Quintessential Careers or any other career site says the same thing — rendering
this maxim a virtual job-seeker mantra: “the most effective method for finding
a new job is through networking.”
Listening to job-hunting gurus, career counselors, and
career coaches results in the same call to action — to connect with your
network of contacts and enlist their help in uncovering job leads.The problem
for many job-seekers, though, is not so much in understanding the extreme
importance of networking, but in the execution of networking.
More
specifically, job-seekers wonder, where do all these networking contacts come
from — and how can I get people to be part of my network? The key point to remember
is that networking is relationship-building.
Your network consists of people
you’ve met (either in person or online) — and you build your network by going
out and meeting more people.
Then the question becomes, how do I meet people to add to my
network? The thrust of this article is to provide you with 10 proven techniques
for building and expanding your career network.
1. Ask members of your
current network for referrals: No easier exists way to expand your network than to simply ask
your current friends, family, and associates for the contact information of
others whom they think would be beneficial for you to know. The
“friend-of-a-friend” connection is quite strong and usually very successful.
“Who else should I be talking to?” is a good question to use when asking for
referrals.
2. Join professional or trade
organizations: No better method exists for finding people who share the same
professional interests and goals than joining one or more industry
organizations. Once you’re a member, you’ll usually get access to the
membership list, which can open up many new prospective network contacts. Most
organizations also run regional or national meetings and conferences, which
leads to the next technique for building your network of contacts.
3. Attend professional/trade
meetings, shows, etc.: The great thing about trade shows and industry meetings and
conferences is that you’ll encounter new people to meet — and opportunities for
both “meet-and-greets” and in-depth meetings. Seek out peers as well as more experienced
members — and even speakers — to add to your network.
4. Volunteer: Providing your time and effort to a needy cause is perhaps one of
the strongest venues for networking — because you are working side-by-side with
people who share your passion for helping others — but often overlooked by
job-seekers either too busy or too focused on finding industry contacts. Find
an organization that needs your help (and there are many) and start
volunteering.
5. Attend networking events: This
technique is a no-brainer for adding more people to your network of contacts.
Various groups hold networking events, including colleges, professional and
industry associations, chambers of commerce, and the like. Review community
calendars online or in your local newspaper for details.
6. Contact former professors,
college alumni association, and/or career-services office: One of the strongest ties that help in building new and strong
network contacts is sharing the bond of a college or university. Making
additional contacts with people affiliated with your college gives you a solid
base of shared experiences — and a strong connection to build upon.
7. Join or ramp up your
activities on social and professional networking sites: Once you’re a
member of Facebook, LinkedIn, or a similar networking site, you’ll immediately
be provided with strategies for adding friends or connections, such as
reconnecting with people who attended the same schools. Electronic connections
are not nearly as strong as personal connections, but that should not stop you
from at least trying this technique. You can use your virtual connections to
grease the wheels toward face-to-face meetings. (Remember to develop and keep a
professional profile on these sites.)
8. Join or start job club: In some ways,
a job club is the ultimate networking experience because the people you meet
there all have shared experiences and the desire for a new job. Run the right
way, a job club is a very positive and rewarding experience, a chance to help
yourself and others.
9. Conduct informational
interviews: There is no
better strategy for entry-level job-seekers and career-changers to find and add
people to your professional network than to conduct several (or many)
informational interviews. As the name implies, it’s an interview you initiate
with someone in your profession/industry whose brain you can pick about how
s/he got their start, moved up the ladder, and so forth.
10. Contact former
co-workers, vendors, customers/clients: Many times as we move from job to job, employer to employer, we
lose touch with former co-workers, customers, and the like. These people all
had a relationship with you before and could again — you simply need to
reconnect with them.
Final Thoughts — and Career Networking
Strategies
Above all else, remember that networking is a reciprocal
relationship. You may be seeking help uncovering job leads today, but tomorrow
someone in your network may be asking for your help.
Never be afraid to ask people in your network for help;
don’t ask them to get you a job, but do ask them for possible leads, other
people they know that you might add to your network and any advice or other
information you seek.
When meeting people for the first time, don’t make it all
about you; ask about the other person and what she/he does for a living.
Finally, always be prepared for networking — because the opportunity to meet
someone can happen literally anywhere… and the person could change your life.
To be fully prepared for networking, always carry networking
or business cards, have a short elevator speech introduction at the ready, and
keep a copy of your resume with you just in case a networking encounter leads
to deeper possibilities.
