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NetworkingNetworking is not new. It has been around since the dawn of time. Wherever there are community and civilization, there is networking. What has changed is how networking occurs. In the past, networking was informal and random. In fact, most people didn’t even know that they were networking. Today networking has become calculated and structured.
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Employment experts believe that 80% of all job openings are never advertised |
Most employers don’t need to advertise. There are enough applicants available to them without advertising. Also, most employers don’t want to advertise. They would rather consider someone referred to them from a trusted employee or colleague. If this is the case, then how does someone find these jobs? Direct employer contact and networking are the answers.
Formal networking is the systematic pursuit of new contacts and information. It is organized and planned. Networking is relational. A good networking relationship will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
These are the people who are close to you. These are the people with whom you are most comfortable. This is the group that you can ask for the most assistance. When networking with this group, it is important to set clear goals. They may want to help more than you want.
More than 25% of the people who find jobs through networking received the referral from someone they see once a year or less! Ask this group for ideas and referrals. When making contact you may need to reintroduce yourself. State your purpose, acknowledge their value, and request a meeting. It is a good idea to set reasonable time limits for the meeting. Be sure you stick to your time limit. Come well prepared, be professional and organized in your discussion.
Stretch your network by meeting new people who are the friends, associates, and acquaintances of your networking contacts. At every meeting you should ask if the person knows of anyone else to whom you should talk. Sometimes these will be people with additional information, but they may also be potential employers. When approaching a referral contact, you should introduce yourself with a lead statement that will get their attention. It is very useful to use the name of the person who referred you. State your purpose and request a meeting. You should also limit the time for the meeting, be well prepared and professional.
Through your employment research and networking you may discover the names of people with whom you would like to talk. This type of contact takes another level of confidence, but the potential is great. Take the initiative, and you will find that these contacts will pay off.
Personal Contacts
Friends, acquaintances, neighbors, relatives, church members, classmates, teachers, club members.
Professional Contacts
Employers, supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, clients, customers, fellow association members.
Internet Contacts
Subscribers to mailing lists you participate in, any personal or professional contact that you might communicate with via e-mail.
All the People Your Contacts Know
Just as you have hundreds or thousands of people in your network, so each person you contact is connected to others.
Networking Strategies
Networking strategies range from basic to sophisticated. Here are some general networking ideas.
- Initiate contacts for the sole purpose of networking.
- Develop a networking list. Make contact with each person on your list.
- Set networking goals. Write down specific goals for how many networking contacts you plan to make each week.
- Set goals for each meeting. Don’t just get together and see where it leads; meet with a purpose.
- Come to the meeting prepared.
- Always ask if the person knows of anyone else you should meet.
- Maintain networking files. Keep a record of the outcome of each contact and important information about the person.
- Whenever possible, meet in person.
- Let the person know you value their information and professional opinion.
- Plan your follow-up. At the time you meet with someone, plan when you will contact this person again.
- If you agree to do something for someone, be sure to follow through.
- Say "thank you" often. Send a thank-you letter or card.