Networking Advice for Job Seekers
June 12, 2008
I need networking advice to help me make valuable contacts for the future. Is there anything you suggest I can do? - Jim in Denver, CO
Receiving good networking advice and using it is one of the keys to a person’s career growth. By getting out there and introducing ourselves to various people we are able to learn about new job opportunities, especially the ones that we wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Yet only using networking as a means to look for a job shouldn’t be the only goal to focus on for networking.
Having a well connected network of professionals in many different fields can be prove to be an effective tool when it comes to other areas of your career as well. Making the most of these people will allow you to gain insight as well as advice and inside information. Here are some simple steps to get the highest return on your networking efforts.
1. Actively make everyone you know a part of your network that can be a useful contact. Even though a person may not be directly related to your area of work there is an excellent possibility that they might know someone who is.
2. You have to be willing to ask for another persons help especially when you need the advice of a contact that you know has the information that you are seeking.
3. On the opposite hand, you have to be willing to help out your contacts when they come to you. Don’t be selfish because networking for a job isn’t solely to help you. If someone asks you to either help them or a friend with a particular problem, then help the person to the best of your ability.
4. Strangely enough, don’t just use your network for job seeking either. Its a common view that people only think of having a good network for just finding a job and will only use it for that purpose. You have to think about how other people view your reason for contacting them, if its only to discuss potential job opportunities then they will come to think of you as “so and so” always scrounging around for that next position.
5. Make sure that you stay in touch with your contacts, sending a quick email often just to say hello and see how they’re doing shows that you are interested in keeping communication going back and forth. Stay on top of what they are doing in their life and it will be a lot easier for you to get in touch with them if you need to in the future.
6. Finally, when networking for a job make sure that you are thankful for the advice that you receive and especially when this leads to a situation where you benefit. Sending a thank you note or taking them out to lunch or dinner to show your appreciation can go along way to solidifying that relationship and can make a strong band of connections to well placed people over time.
Utilize this networking advice to your advantage and show yourself willing and able to help your contacts when need be. You never know, that person you meet at the bar or walking the dog can be the one that can lead you to a life changing opportunity.
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