Networking strategies
Job search networking is about making connections with people.
You want to find people who can tell you where the work is (or
where it may be coming up), or who you should talk to about work
possibilities.
You already have some kind of network. It includes family,
friends, neighbours, acquaintances, previous employers and
co-workers, people you play sport with, local people you’ve
done business with. All these people know others; they or their
contacts may know of upcoming jobs. How will you find out, if you
don’t ask?
Contact everyone you can for ideas, suggestions and information
to use in your job search. People usually like to be
helpful—don't be afraid to ask them. Knowing what you want to
talk about will keep the conversation flowing, so don’t worry
about feeling uncomfortable.
Here’s a networking strategy you might want to use:
1. Make a list of all the people you
know.
2. Prepare what you’re going
to say.
3. Contact the people on your list
in a systematic way.
4. Ask them for job leads.
5. Contact the people you’ve
been referred to.
6. Follow up contacts.
7. Follow up leads.
8. Keep networking.
1. Make a list of all the people you
know
They don’t have to be friends, or even acquaintances. If
you can pick up the phone and call them for any reason at all, they
are potential networking contacts.
2. Prepare what you’re
going to say
You don’t want to just ring people and say, ‘I work
in HR. Do you know of any jobs going?’ Have a brief
description ready of what you're looking for and the kind of help
you need.
Also have ready a very short review of your background and your
specific qualifications and a list of the sorts of companies
you’re interested in. For example, say, ‘I’m
looking for a role in training and development in the public sector
or a not-for-profit organisation.’
3. Contact the people on your
list in a systematic way
Set yourself a goal. Maybe you can spend all afternoon on the
phone and cross twenty people off your list. Or maybe you just want
to make three calls a day, every day. Whatever you decide, contact
the people you think will be most help first.
4. Ask them for job leads
The worst thing that can happen is that the person will not know
of any jobs going at the moment. But that doesn’t mean the
end of the conversation.
- Ask your network person for tips, leads and suggestions.
- Ask them to keep you in mind, and whether it would be useful
for them to have a copy of your resume on file in case a job comes
up. (If it would be, send it promptly while they still remember
your call.)
- Also ask if they can recommend other people you might contact.
It’s always easier if you have a specific name to contact in
a company.
5. Contact the people
you’ve been referred to
Ask them the same questions.
6. Follow up contacts
Often people will say to you, ‘I’ll ask around and
see what I can find out.’ Sometimes they do ask; sometimes
they forget almost immediately, or a crisis happens at work and
they haven’t the time. If you don’t hear from them
within a week or so, call them back to see if they’ve managed
to find anything out.
Sometimes it seems as if no one will do anything for you, or ask
around on your behalf. It can be frustrating, but you should stay
very polite and pleasant in your dealings with your contacts. After
all, you’re asking them for a favour.
7. Follow up leads
After your initial networking efforts and research, you’ll
probably have a long list of new people to try and make connections
with. A phone call may be enough, or you might want to arrange a
meeting with them to introduce yourself and ask them more specific
questions about their company or industry.
Tip!
- Get involved with community, social, religious
or sporting organisations to make your network grow. You can find
people to add to your network almost anywhere.
- Join a professional association in your field, so that you can
network at its meetings and events.
- Online networking can broaden your contact base significantly.
Explore forums, groups, message boards and chat rooms relating to
job searching, and to the industry you’re interested in.
- You never know who you’re going to meet. Carry pen,
paper, business card and a positive attitude around with you,
wherever you go.
- Type up your network contacts in a spreadsheet, put them on
index cards or add them to the job leads form. Each time you
contact them, make notes about your meeting or phone call.
- Send a thank-you note or e-mail after you’ve made
contact. Tell your contact the results of the information they gave
you. In this way, you become part of their network, too.
8. Keep networking
Complete job security is never guaranteed. You never know when
you’ll need your network contacts again. Maintain your
network even after you’ve found a job. Use it to keep in
touch with what’s going on in your field.