RULES FOR NETWORKING

THE KEY TO YOU GETTING YOUR NEXT JOB MOST LIKELY WILL BE THROUGH THE NETWORK YOU HAVE SET UP. IN MANY FACETS OF OUR LIVES, WE HAVE USED A NETWORK OF FRIENDS, RELATIVES, FAMILY AND ACQUAINTANCES TO ACHIEVE GOALS, MEET NEEDS, AND TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. IN ALL PLACES OF WORK, THERE IS A NETWORK OR SYSTEM THAT YOU NEED TO FIND A WAY TO TAP INTO. USE THE NETWORK YOU HAVE TO LET THE RIGHT PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB.

Many people think that networking means using connections or contacts that are influential people in high positions. This is not necessarily the case. A contact for you is most likely to be a friend or relative who knows that there will be a job opening coming up in his/her company in the near future and either tells you about it so that you can apply or simply passes on your Resume to the right person who will see that you are considered for the job. This is NETWORKING. Also, remember to keep people you have given a Resume to updated on your job search. Let them know if you have found a job or are still looking, etc.

PUT THE REFERRAL SYSTEM TO WORK FOR YOU: This means when you talk to someone about a job that you ask him or her who else they know who may be a contact person for you in your job search. This adds new names to the networking system that you now have in place.

MAKE A LIST OF THE VARIOUS NETWORKS YOU NOW HAVE IN PLACE AND CHOOSE PEOPLE FROM THESE NETWORKS WHO CAN HELP YOU: Who are the people in these networks? If you had a personal problem, who are the people you would talk with? If you wanted to sell a car, what people would you contact? If you were to have a big party inviting people who work in your field, whom would you invite? If you were to list people from your church you were comfortable with, whom would you list? If you were to list people who have assisted you in the past, whom would you include? All of the people you would list above are part of the networks that you currently have in place. USE THEM. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE shy about developing and using a network.

Informational interviewing is a good way to expand your network and to meet people: Ask for information, advice, and referrals during each interview. Most people are flattered and will assist you. Do several interviews each week and send a follow-up letter to each person.

In the end, your success in job searching is a direct function of how well you network.

[Author Unknown]