| In today's economy, job seekers need an edge | | | | personally or to their business." By doing so you |
| beyond their experience, education and specific | | | | will build and retain life-long viable business |
| industry and job-related skills, in order to find and | | | | contacts." He also stressed how important it was |
| secure a position. Regardless if you are looking for | | | | to give something back and develop a relationship |
| an opportunity as CEO, Vice President, IT | | | | that complemented both yourself and your |
| Manager or Customer Service Representative, | | | | contact. |
| you need effective tools to compete within a | | | | I didn't fully understand how important this lesson |
| market that is job-poor and candidate rich. | | | | was at the time, but I later learned how valuable |
| Hundreds of articles and seminars have been | | | | business contacts are and began building my own |
| offered describing the value of networking as | | | | network. |
| being the most effective tool for finding your | | | | Networking is building contacts that are well |
| next position. Networking isn't new, we all | | | | connected in the business world, who understand |
| network to some extent to find a new doctor, | | | | the power of personal referral and who are willing |
| meet new people socially, to expand business | | | | to help and provide additional contacts. Your |
| contacts and many other aspects of our | | | | contacts may be friends, neighbors, local business |
| everyday life. The question is - can networking | | | | owners and people you meet everyday. The |
| really help you find a job? | | | | challenge is to reach people that understand |
| As a young man just out of the Navy, my | | | | networking and how it works. One of the most |
| experience networking began without really | | | | common comments you might hear from |
| understanding that I had begun to use networking | | | | someone who does not understand networking is |
| as a tool. In those days, the information | | | | - "I don't know anyone who has job openings." |
| technology field was more commonly referred to | | | | Frequently you will need to educate your contacts |
| as data processing, and that was exactly the field | | | | about the types of people you want to reach and |
| I intended to pursue. | | | | how these people can help you uncover potential |
| Based upon a recommendation from my father, I | | | | opportunities. Networking is all about meeting |
| introduced myself to a neighbor who worked for | | | | people, who know people, and finding that person |
| Allstate Insurance Company. I described the type | | | | or persons who has an interest in your skills, |
| of position I was looking for and my goal of | | | | background and what you can bring to a |
| working in data processing. To make a long story | | | | company. Many jobs are not publicized or even |
| short, Mr. Anderson brought home an application | | | | formally developed. Your background and skills can |
| the next day. He helped me complete it and | | | | prompt companies to think harder about filling a |
| made sure that all the t's were crossed and I's | | | | hidden job or create a position that requires your |
| were dotted. He personally handed my application | | | | expertise. Seeking out individuals who are well |
| to the department manager who was in charge | | | | connected in the business world, open to talking |
| of the hiring and - he provided a letter of | | | | about themselves, their companies, giving advice |
| recommendation. | | | | and directing you to other business people, are |
| Several days later I received a call from Allstate | | | | the primary targets for your network. |
| to interview for an entry-level data processing | | | | Even though every person you talk to may not |
| position. I interviewed with the HR manager and | | | | be able to help you right away, they may be an |
| department manager I would be working for. I | | | | excellent contact later on, or they may refer you |
| was offered the job on the spot and accepted | | | | to well connected business people. Because the |
| with little discussion about the details. | | | | hidden job market is where most of the jobs are |
| That night I called Mr. Anderson and thanked him | | | | today, networking will uncover people who have |
| for helping me. I asked him if I could do anything - | | | | the inside track on either job openings or who |
| anything at all to show my appreciation. He told | | | | know about potential opportunities. If you are |
| me something that to this day I have | | | | networking effectively, you will find opportunities |
| remembered and have valued throughout my | | | | that you otherwise may never have found. |
| career. He said - "Use your business contacts | | | | Networking will not only help in your job search, |
| wisely and treat them with respect. "Offer them | | | | but it will add significant value and tools you will |
| advice, referrals, articles of interest and | | | | use in your everyday life. |
| information that might be helpful to them | | | | |