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Networking for Success: Who Will Connect You to Your Next Job? by Emily Breckenridge

According to New York career-management firm, BH Careers International, 80% of all available jobs aren't posted in the classifieds or on job boards. Additionally, 60% of people surveyed by BH stated they got their last job by networking. Though networking can be awkward and uncomfortable, the fact is, it is the best way to find a job. Here are a few tips to help you develop, and successfully execute a networking strategy.

1) Prepare an elevator pitch. Data shows that when you initially meet someone, their first impression of you is formed within the first two minutes they spend with you. After that first impression is formed, it is extremely difficult for it to be changed. A 30-second elevator pitch should be a part of each professional's job search arsenal, including yours, for this very reason. An elevator pitch is a swift speech that you've memorized in case you ever meet someone who you need to make a good, professional impression on. It is also a great starting point for beginning a conversation with employers at job fairs, or as a way of summarizing yourself at the beginning of an interview. Make it upbeat, and to the point, stating who you're, what you do and what you're looking for. For additional information on elevator pitches, check out First Impressions: How to Deliver a Professional 30-second Elevator Pitch from the September 18, 2007 issue of TechNews.

2) Keep your marketing tools up-to-date. Keep your resume, and any social or professional network profiles up-to-date. You should provide a resume to all of your networking contacts as an initial point of reference, and send them a new one each time you add something new to it (i.e. a new degree or a new job). If you've a MySpace or other social networking site profile, make sure that it is appropriate, and that nothing on it would prevent a job offer if a potential employer saw it.

3) Tap into your existing network.� It's a small world, and you never know who your parents' friends or your friends' friends might know. Spread the word that you're looking for a job to family, friends and ex-colleagues, and ask if they might be able to offer any advice. Then have that network connect you to a broader one, by asking, “Do you know anyone else who might be helpful for me to meet?”

4) Become involved in an industry-specific association. Professional organizations and associations are one of the best ways to expand your network. Student membership fees are usually affordable, and the benefits of membership definitely outweigh the cost. Professional associations are an simple way to connect with others in your field, and these connections often result in job referrals. Many associations also post job ads on their websites, sometimes limiting access to members. Many HR representatives report that they like to advertise, sometimes exclusively, on these sites, because good candidates are usually members of professional organizations. Additionally, many HR representatives report that they use association conferences and/or trade shows to seek potential hires, because attendance and participation show that a person is committed to staying on the cutting edge of the field. To increase your visibility to HR at those events, don't just attend association events or trade shows – instead, participate! Volunteer to help organize a meeting or a part of the event, offer your expertise by presenting on a topic, or simply just ask educated questions.

5) Take it slow. If you've met someone for the first time whom you think would be a great person to have in your professional network, don't rush it. Build your relationship with your new contact before asking for help. Stacey L. Bradford of the Wall Street Journal suggests that you “Consider dropping a personal note to any new contact you meet at an industry event. Then follow-up, perhaps with a helpful article or introduction to someone you know.”

6) Networking is a two-way street. Show your concern and interest for your networking contacts, and make sure that you're a benefit to all of them by referring them to positions for which you think they're qualified, and by putting them in touch with people whom you think might help them, etc. Ask them questions about themselves and their business experience. The more you help them, the more they’ll be inclined to help you.

7) Don't ask for a job! Instead, ask for advice. When you ask someone about their experience in a field, or for their advice on job searches, they're typically more generous with their time. If you're qualified for a job that they might have open, they'll ask you to apply.

8 ) Mind your manners. Always follow up a conversation or meeting with your networking contacts with a thank you note or email. Also, keep the contact updated on your job search by mentioning any interviews you've had recently or any offers you've received.

9) Respect your contact's time. Your contacts have their own responsibilities. Make sure that you respect their time by always being flexible, and by not continually asking for favors. Additionally, make sure that you don't call too often. If you're not sure what's too much, just ask them.

10) Be in it for the long-run. Your relationships with your networking contacts should not end when you begin a job. These should be relationships that you maintain long-term. Plan on staying in touch by arranging a monthly touch base with a few contacts where you call them or send them an email to update them on your career, and to find out if there's anything new going on in their lives. Fostering a long-term relationship can lead to further opportunity years from now.

LinkedIn offers the following 10 tips for improving your on the web profile:

1. Don't just cut and paste your resume. LinkedIn hooks you into a network, not just a human resources department. You wouldn't hand out your resume before introducing yourself, so don't do it here. Instead, describe your experience and abilities as you would to someone you just met. And write for the screen, in short blocks of copy with visual or textual signposts.
2. Borrow from the best marketers. Light up your profile with your voice. Use specific adjectives, colorful verbs, active construction (”managed project team,” not “responsible for project team management”). Act naturally: don't write in the third person unless that formality suits your brand. Picture yourself at a conference or client meeting. How do you introduce yourself? That's your authentic voice, so use it.
3. Write a personal tagline. That line of text under your name? It's the first thing people see in your profile. It follows your name in search hit lists. It's your brand. (Note: your e- mail address is not a brand!) Your company's brand might be so strong that it and your title are sufficient. Or you might need to distill your professional personality into a more eye- catching phrase.
4. Put your elevator pitch to work. Go back to your conference introduction. That 30-second description, the essence of who you're and what you do, is a personal elevator pitch. Use it in the Summary section to engage readers. You've got 5-10 seconds to capture their attention. The more meaningful your summary is, the more time you'll get from readers.
5. Point out your skills. Think of the Specialties field as your personal search engine optimizer, a way to refine the ways people find and remember you. This searchable section is where that list of industry buzzwords from your resume belongs. Also: particular capabilities and interests, the personal values you bring to your professional performance, even a note of humor or passion.
6. Explain your experience. Help the reader grasp the key points: briefly state what the company does and what you did or do for them. Picture yourself at that conference, again. After you've introduced yourself, how do you describe what you do, what your company does? Use those clear, succinct phrases here — and break them into visually digestible chunks.
7. Distinguish yourself from the crowd. Use the Additional Information section to round out your profile with a few key interests. Add websites that showcase your abilities or passions. Then edit the default “My Website” label to encourage click-throughs (you get Google page rankings for those, raising your visibility). Maybe you belong to a trade association or an interest group; help other members find you by naming those groups. If you're an award winner, recognized by peers, customers, or employers, add prestige without bragging by listing them here.
8. Ask and answer questions. Thoughtful questions and useful answers build your credibility. The best ones give people a reason to look at your profile. Make a point of answering questions in your field, to establish your expertise, raise your visibility, and most important, to build social capital with people in your network — you might need answers to a question of your own down the road.
9. Pat your own back and others'. Get recommendations from colleagues, clients, and employers who can speak credibly about your abilities or performance. (Think quality, not quantity.) Ask them to focus on a specific skill or personality trait that drives their thought of you. Make meaningful comments when you recommend others. And mix it up — variety makes your suggestions feel authentic.
10. Build your connections. Connections are one of the most important aspects of your brand: the company you keep reflects the quality of your brand. What happens when you scan a profile and see that you know someone in common? That profilee's stock with you soars. The value of that commonality works both ways. So identify connections that'll add to your credibility and pursue those.

What do you do when the recruiter calls and you're happy with your current job?

The phone rings, you pick it up, and the individual introduces himself as a recruiter. He then outlines a career opportunity, but can't name the company. He wants to know if you've any interest or can you advocate anyone for the position. What do you do?

If you are unhappy in your current position and the prospective job sounds attractive, you're going to give a positive answer. What do you say if you're happy where you're?

There's a right way and a wrong way to respond. Either choice will have a definite impact on your career. If you cut him off and indicate you're happy with your present position this is the wrong way to respond. Think long term. Now let's look at the situation.

In any career it's important to know what's happening in your industry, who is hiring, who is expanding, and who is leaving. Job opportunities in the hidden job market could potentially leverage your career. So your first choice is not to limit your options.

If your decision to say “no thanks” to the recruiter you just limited your options. And in taking this action you denied yourself access to potentially important career information.

Give the recruiter your home phone and make an appointment for him to call you when you've more time to speak. Listen to what he has to say. Ask questions. It's difficult for the recruiter not to give you information that you can make an informed guess on the employer.

If you're still not interested, perhaps you can advocate someone who might fit the position. If the recruiter lives in your area, take him to lunch. Or call him periodically to discuss events occurring in your industry. Develop an ongoing relationship with the recruiter to keep yourself informed and in control when and if you do need his services. And if not there will be occasions you can recommend friends.

This will just be another facet of your career where you’ll be in control rather than the company. Corporate buyouts and restructuring, layoffs and downsizing are taking place every day.

Recently the whole division staff of a huge company was let go although they were the most profitable division in the company. Two months ago the company founder died suddenly, there was an immediate lack of leadership and to keep the corporation afloat the profitable division was sold. No one saw it coming, and as recently as two months ago, everyone on the division staff thought they'd a bright career with the company.

So if it can happen this swiftly, don't you think it could happen to you. Having a support network to fall back on could pay off down the road. The relationships developed with recruiters and others mean you are in command of your career at exactly the times it isn't completely necessary. And isn't this the proper definition of managing your career?

John Groth is a career coach. Find valuable Career Development Ideas, in-depth articles and a free seven day career planning guide at his web site. Discover up to date recruitment and Job Hunting strategies; all to assist you in developing and advancing your career.