Networking

If you've heard anything about the job search process it included a discussion about networking. To many, this has a negative connotation and it may feel uncomfortable. But at its core, networking is just another term for what most of us do naturally anyway, that is keep up with or interact with people we know or come in contact with. In most social interactions topics of discussions range widely but they often include sharing of information about events that affect each others lives and what people have been "up to". Catching up with people and what they are doing is especially a frequent topic when two people haven't seen each other in a while. And naturally, the more interactions you have with friends, colleagues and acquaintances, the more you are aware of circumstances and situations of others, and likewise, they of you.

So, from a job search perspective, networking can be thought of as merely an extension of what it is that most of us do anyway, it's just with a little additional focus and purpose. Job search networking is putting yourself in more situations where you can interact with people and may involve more discussions around career management and issues. Here are some additional comments in this regard.

The overall need/benefit of networking is simply that many, many positions are found or developed by job seekers, not through formal job postings but through contacts and follow-up on discussions held with various people they've interacted or networked with. This occurs for a couple of reasons: 1) not all open positions are advertised or posted; and 2) many more people can be eyes and ears for the job seeker. Your contacts have their contacts who have their contacts etc.

As a result, networking is an important part, if not a critical part, of any successful job search process. Here is some additional commentary.

Think multiple avenues and start small and with people you know best first
- With e-mail, send notes to old friends and colleagues to simply catch up.
  - Begin by populating the master contact list with all the friends, family and colleagues, past and present you can think of. Primarily those who would enjoy hearing from you and you hearing about them. Click here for a pre-formatted, ready-to-use master list worksheet.
    Write down as many names as you can think of. Here's a way to start thinking of names.
    - --College students/recent graduates: consider former professors you know as an initial networking source.
    You may not have all the contact info you need to reach out to them right away, but just get the name down for follow-up later.
    - --Using online search sites to get phone or address info. Try:
- Attend some events that you might not otherwise that will increase your contacts with friends and colleagues. Start with events that interest you the most. Consider:
  - Local high school theater productions or sporting events
  - Locally sponsored other events -- Audubon walks; library events etc. These can be found in local newspapers.
  - Alumni events of your high school or college or even military units you may have been in.
- After getting more active interacting with others and with explaining your situation, branch out to other events where you may not know anybody there.
  - Start with events where you have an interest or passion in e.g. local sports events, theater, nature, photography etc.
  - Try events that are more explicitly for networking
    - Trade or special interest shows or fairs
    - Networking groups
      - ->Find local networking groups by doing internet searches on: "networking groups in <state/city/industry>"
        
        Here is one starter resource...
        
        And here is another: "Job Clubs, Networking, and Job Search Support by State"
- Consider getting involved a little bit with groups online that are of interest to you. Read/contribute to blogs.
  - Consider participating in discussion groups on Linkedin.com.
  - Here is an interesting site where one can possibly network in closer to a company >> here.
Foster interactions where you have a genuine interest in others, and can offer them ideas or information helpful to them.

"Give to get". During interactions, if there is an opportunity to help the person you're interacting with, offer to and deliver. This could be in the form of an article you may have seen or someone you could put this person in touch with for information, or for sales possibilities etc. If you can help in some meaningful, even if small way this person will be much more inclined to reciprocate should have a need later.
Have a networking card handy with contact info. Its helpful and convenient to someone else if they ask for info to be able hand them a card with the info with your contact info. They will remember your name much more easily too.
Respect time of network contact. If you networking meeting was pre-arranged, keep the meeting short (no more than 20 minutes) and focused. Have a simple agenda that allows you to focus and control the meeting. If at a social gathering or other chance meeting, keep conversation brief, but perhaps ask if a follow-up conversation would be okay.
Follow-up--particularly if you said you would. In the process of giving you might mention something you can give the person you're networking with. Do so in a timely basis. It will cement your relationship further, be appreciated, and not be a lingering item on your 'to do' list. When a pre-arranged meeting has concluded, a thank you note for one's time would be appropriate as well as providing another interaction to reinforce the person's awareness of you.
Track contacts -- stay organized. Effective networking means frequent and sustained networking. As a result, you will come in contact with many people creating many interactions. Some will be more meaningful than others. What will make the effort effective will be keeping track of who you contacted, when, how it was done (e.g. e-mail, phone, face-to-face etc.), content and useful info from the interaction and any follow-ups or next steps. Different methods can be used to track such contacts: in the past, people have used 3X5 cards to track contacts. With wide availability of computers, a spreadsheet offers even more enhanced organization and tracking of contacts. Such a tracking sheet is included here.


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