Even when the world is not experiencing an economic downturn the way it is today, almost everybody loses his or her job at some point. It's a sort of right of passage; one that, unfortunately, some workers go through again and again. And while it is possible to find new work through traditional means (replying to classified ads, dropping off resumes, and the like), it's a lot easier to find it if you know how to network. Up to 80% of new job openings are never advertised to be filled by the public-- and most of those jobs are filled though personal and professional contacts. In the end, more than 60% of new jobs are found via career networking. Which means that those who don't know how to do it are at an incredible disadvantage.
Looking for a new job and exhausted all of the traditional routes? Read on for tips on the different kinds of career networking.
Networking Through Friends and Family
One of the best resources you have for finding a new job are the people in your life. Your friends, family members, old university buddies, next-door neighbors, etc., already know you and have a reason to go to bat for you. Even if they don't, they will generally have plenty of contacts and leads that you wouldn't have access to otherwise. You may be surprised to learn who your cousin Mark associates with-- and may provide you with an "in" for.
This kind of network is a little like freeinternet dating-- you have to cast your net wide. If you're looking to network through casual contacts, it's important to make as many of those contacts as possible. Call up everybody you know... people are much readier to offer advice and assistance than you might think. Accept all the invitations you receive, even to seemingly silly little parties. You never know what kind of conversation may start up, and what may end up coming from it. Until you get that new job, it's important to consider networking as your current employment.
Don't know where to start? There are a lot of places to do casual or personal career networking, including
• When talking to other parents at your kids' school
• When volunteering for your city
• When chatting with your neighbor
• When waiting in line
• When chatting with fellow church-goers
• When attending club or association meetings
Job Search Networking through Professional Channels
Career networking through causal contacts is effective and easy. But networking through your professional contacts or through new professional channels can also be effective at helping you find new work. With all of the networking you do through family and friends, you probably hear about plenty of professional opportunities that aren't right for you. Chances are, other job seekers find the same thing. So if you attend a professional social event or a networking-oriented event, you may find some interesting opportunities popping up for you.
Networking Online
Career networking isn't relegated only to the flesh and blood world; it's also incredibly effective (and easy) to take your networking online. Just like with internet dating, using the net for professional networking opens you up to people and opportunities you'd never be exposed to otherwise. Some good places to network on the internet are:
Forums. No matter your profession, chances are there are several online forums dedicated to people who do the same thing. These forums can be great places to strike up conversation and learn about new opportunities. Also look at forums for job search sites, where people sometimes offer up opportunities that may have been inappropriate for them, but could work great for you.
Professional Social Networking Sites. There are several sites out there that work like Myspace or Facebook, but are dedicated to professional rather than social networking. These sites can be great places in which to make new professional contacts.
Association Websites. If you're involved with any association dedicated to your profession, that association's website probably provides advice, assistance, and even networking contacts that will help you along your way.
Alumni Websites. Most people stay loyal to their old alma mater. So alumni websites are a great place to network online. Look for contacts through your alumni website, or even look for a professional network for alumni-- some alumni websites have sections specifically set aside for job seekers to help one another, and be helped.
It is possible to find a new job without having to network your way in the door. But if you wait around for the perfect ad to pop up on Monster or Craigslist, great opportunities are going to be few and far between. The best way to find new work is to look outside your own sphere-- chances are you've made plenty of personal and professional contacts during your lifetime. When things are hard, it's time to put those contacts to work for you. You never know what your cousin's boyfriend or your Godfather's neighbor might come up with.
