Strategic Networking For Your Job Search

The Internet has exploded with job search assistants in the last few years. There are job postings, advice columns, industry forums, and more, all available to the job seeker to benefit the search. With all these resources, it is surprising to learn that many jobs are still found through word of mouth. So if you are looking for a position in the world of business or finance, you want to remember that despite all the information and resources online, your connections could be your greatest asset.

Networking is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of the job search. Some people do not feel they are capable of this job-hunting technique and so they decide to forego it altogether out of fear or confusion. Others feel that it is too complicated or time consuming, especially in the light of all the easy Internet access to firms and job postings.

Unfortunately when you are online looking for a job, so are millions of other people. And in fact, in just your industry alone, there could be tens of thousands of people viewing the same job posting you are applying to. This need not be discouraging. Networking is a great way to overcome these odds and get yourself to the forefront of the job search arena.

So to start with, you need some contacts. We all have them. You probably have many more contacts than you know. Networking contacts come from all aspects of our lives. You met them in college, in social situations, in past jobs, and even at family reunions. These people are all working members of society and therefore, they have information about their particular corner of the working world that no one else has. The goal of networking is to tap into these worlds and find gold.

Begin by making a list of all your contacts. Do not limit it to those people in finance or business. Your marketing pal from college may have a great inside line to the financial department at his company. Your design friend may know just the right business start up to help you meet your career goals.

Once you have your list, start contacting these people either by phone or email. Ideally, set up meetings with those people in your industry to pick their brains about what positions might be coming open, what firms are hiring, and what changes are afoot in their world.

Let people know you are on the job hunt. Tell them what you have been doing and what you would like to be doing in your new position. Ask them for any feedback and/or suggestions. Tell them you remember that they have a great job, or that they have connections in that industry, or that they always have great ideas. Then ask for some of those connections or ideas.

You will find that this initial round of calls and emails will result in new contacts. Follow up on these as you did with the first ones, introducing yourself to the new people and letting them know politely and professionally why your are contacting them.

With a little effort, this type of networking can bring you an inside track on a job that has yet to hit the online job boards. You can bypass the competition and go directly to the source in many cases. Networking can make a huge difference in whether or not you are working the job of your dreams.

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