How to network for a job? Although a majority of job seekers spend many hours applying to jobs on line, the fact is that 65-75% of people find their positions through “informal contacts.” This means networking, an activity some people dread. However, it’s not so difficult. In fact, many people find it interesting to meet new people once they get a little practice.
In addition, your network of contacts can benefit you throughout your career.
Job Networking Tips
To get started, make a list of people you know now that you could contact. Call or write each one to request a brief meeting to ask some questions about your job search and/or the new field you are exploring. Before the meeting, prepare a list of open-ended questions to ask. At the end of the meeting, ask who else the person knows that you could talk to. And request permission to use their name in contacting these people. This is how you build a network of contacts.
Write a thank you note (can be by email) to the person you met and add his or her name to your contact list. You’ll need this information to contact them again in 6-8 weeks to stay in touch and update them on your progress. In the meantime, contact the people they suggested.
In addition to this one-to-one networking, be sure that you put a great profile on LinkedIn and begin mining your contacts there to see who else you could contact.
Alumni registries and professional associations are also good sources of contacts.
Be creative and upbeat and pretty soon, you’ll have a vibrant network that supports you in your job search and perhaps even beyond!
