Networking is one
of the most effective methods of finding a job.
It is the use of contacts to acquire information, advice,
and referrals for the job hunt. Contacts can range from your closest
friends to professionals you have met before. It is always easiest
to start networking with the people to whom you are closest: friends,
family, neighbors, present and former co-workers/employers, faculty,
classmates, and anyone else with whom you have frequent contact.
Beyond the
Want Ads: The Art of Networking
Studies of workers of all types have found through these traditional
approaches, 60 to 90% of the job are found through friends,
relatives, personal contacts, and direct application. This informal
and personal job finding methods are often referred to as "networking".
Networking involves developing your contacts and connecting with people;
it is asking people if they are aware of job openings for someone
with your qualifications, or if they know other people to with employers
and help you locate the unadvertised jobs. If done well, it may actually
lessen your job search time by turning personal contacts and direct
applications into interviews and, hopefully, job offers.
One of the best ways for any job seeker to uncover career opportunities
is through networking. Make as many contacts as you can with people
in all types of business and industries relates to your chosen career
field. Join a professional association. Conduct informational interviews.
Keep in touch with former employers, professors, classmates, interns
supervisors--anyone who could be a potential lead for a job.
If you were an employer, wouldn't you prefer to interview a candidate
referred by someone you know and trust? Many organizations, especially
small companies, depend upon networking, referrals, and front-door
traffic rather than on costly employment agencies and classified
ads. So which people do you network with? Anyone you can think of?
Begin by creating a "Network Worksheet" organized into categories
of people, for example, friends, classmates, BMCC alumni, faculty,
parents of friends, current and former co-workers or supervisors,
coaches, relatives, neighbors, members of organizations to which
you belong, professional acquaintances, people you met at parties,
and people who know other people through their work (dentists, lawyers,
financial planners, bartenders). Effective networking requires preparation
and practice. Before contacting people on your list, prepare a "script"
that describes who you are, what you are looking for in a position,
and what you have accomplished (relevant education and experiences,
years of experience important knowledge, skills, and traits). Your
script concludes with the questions:
Do you know of any openings for
a person with my background?
Do you know of anyone who might
be interested in someone with my background?
Do you know of anyone else who
would know of job openings?
Your script should not take longer than
30 seconds, and it should be practiced until you can say it comfortably
and naturally.
Follow-up is essential to effective networking. After speaking
with people about job leads or referrals; send them a letter thanking
them for their help and suggestions. Update them on the progress
you have made, and ask them to keep you in mind. Should they learn
of a job lead or think of someone who might be helpful to you? After
several weeks, contact them again. For some people, networking may
seem difficult, but efforts put forth are well worth it.
In today's job market, many job seekers will not find a suitable
employer immediately upon graduation. Don't despair. Here's what
employer professionals from a broad cross section of business industry,
the service sector, government agencies and the military advise:
"Keep on trying-Don't give up or get discouraged, Search harder,
especially in area not directly related to your major field of study.
The state of the current job market is the result of economic forces
and has nothing to do with you personally."
How to Maximize
the Power of Networking
With resume in one hand and want-ads in the other, you're prepared
to land the job of your dreams, right? It
may surprise you to know that approximately 70 percent of hires result
from good old fashioned networking.
The more you cultivate your network, the greater chance you
have of being hired quickly. Think of the following tips as your power
plan to push ahead and apply top-notch networking know-how.
Time-Tested
Networking Tips
Introduce yourself in an upbeat
manner.
Always carry business cards.
Be ready to shake someone's hand.
Look for ways to help others.
Take notes on new people in a Rolodex
or computer database.
Maintain contact with people when
things are good - don't wait until you need them.
Pay attention to grooming and dress
- you never know where or when you will meet someone.
Treat all people with respect,
integrity, truth, and honor.
If you invite people out, pay the
bill. If you are calling for information, don't ask people to
call you back - you get back to them.
Networking is an ongoing process
- not an event. All of life is an opportunity to network.
Do what you say you will do, and
report back in a timely manner.
Listen with your ears, eyes, head,
and heart.
Touch base frequently (regardless
of your need for a favor) with thank-you cards, follow-up phone
calls, e-mails, and accomplishment clippings.
Treat your network connections
as respected friends, not as those you merely "use" for professional
purposes.
Praise people and pass on the praise
of others!
Thank those who have gifted you
with time, food, ideas, support, leads, laughter, and love.
Reciprocate good deeds done on
your behalf.
Share positive experiences with
others, and work your hardest to be a good networkee.
Networking is better when you connect
by shared laughter and fun.
Remember, even when you are not job hunting,
it is always a good idea to keep expanding your network. You never
know when you will need to use it next.
