Keep up to date on articles and news and subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Don’t be shy; get out there and network

If you’ve been with the same employer for a few years and suddenly find yourself in a job search, you might learn quickly that some of the old rules no longer apply.

So what are the most effective job-search methods? For my money, it’s all about networking. Recent stats show that at least 80 percent of job offers came by way of networking, either directly or indirectly. So let’s explore what networking is and how to do it well.

Networking is getting the word out to your family, friends and associates that you are looking for a job and asking if they have any job leads or personal contacts for you to pursue. While many people seem to understand this concept, I believe that those who are uncomfortable asking for help won’t use this strategy to its fullest.

Think about it this way: Which is worse - asking for help in your job search or being unemployed? Let your trusted sources know that you are looking for a job. People will want to help you!

Another networking outlet is professional organizations. Use these events to build relationships, and always follow up with each contact you make.

Don’t ask for job leads right away; develop a rapport with each person you meet. When you discover who will be a good resource, explain that you are in the midst of a job change and that because you respect them as a professional, you would value any assistance they can offer. While you are asking for help, be sure to be a good resource for these people, as well, whenever possible.

Another facet of networking is conducting informational interviews. To do this properly, remember that you are not asking for a job or job leads; you are merely gathering information. Here are some good reasons to conduct informational interviews: to explore careers and clarify your career goal, to expand your professional network, to build confidence for your interviewing skills and to access the most up-to-date career information. In short, informational interviewing prepares you for what’s in store and allows you the opportunity to network with others in your field.

For an informational interview to be truly effective, you can’t just go into it blindly. If you are informed about the company, you’ll be able to ask more intelligent and relevant questions. You’ll respond intelligently to information and any questions the interviewee might put to you. You won’t ask questions that could easily have been answered by doing your homework. Research resources include company Web sites, annual reports, trade publications and press releases.

Don’t dominate the interview by talking about yourself. You are there to get the information that will help you learn the most about the occupational field so you can be prepared to compete for a job. If the person meeting you has promised 20 or 30 minutes of their time, be sure to stick to their schedule, and if your meeting takes place over lunch or coffee, you pick up the tab!