Networking Your Way to Success

Networking: The #1 Job Search Technique

Networking goes hand-in-hand with research in a job search campaign. Both concepts play a key role in a truly effective job search, and both can prove intimidating to job seekers. Typically, this happens if you don't understand what networking involves, why it's important, or how you should do it. However, the following points might help clarify the role and importance of networking in your job search.

5 Points to Consider about Networking

1. Posting your resume on job boards or submitting it for opportunities published online is not a bad idea. However, in most cases it will not generate the type and number of responses you expect—and need. The volume of competition you face can be staggering.
2. Networking does not mean going to every job search event you can find and frantically handing a business card to everyone you talk to or asking them if they can give you any job leads.
3. A core network of people who know you and, preferably, know your work is a great place to start. It's important, though, to expand as well as nurture your network—not just in the short term but over the long haul.
4. Effective job search networking rests on a number of actions. According to Susan Whitcomb, author of Job Search Magic, those include the following: (a) "Focus on how you can benefit the other person." (b) "Think 'learning,' not 'landing.'" (c) "Commit to the long-term. Don't rush your contact...."
5. Research! Do your "homework." Search for information about targeted industries, companies, people who work there or know people who do. The information you gain from this effort will add energy and purpose to your job search networking. Hint: Do it both online and offline.