Networking means using your professional and social contacts to access the job market. In my experience, around 60% of jobseekers will find their next job in this way. Such is the power of networking.
This method of job search can be particularly effective in a tough recruitment market as it can often provide you with access to the hidden jobs. Hidden jobs are those that are not actually advertised or assigned to recruitment agencies and hence are difficult to uncover.
You may feel that you do not have such a network, but let me assure you that you do! Take a piece of paper and write down the names of every single person you can think of who falls into any of the categories below:
Suppliers you have dealt with previously
Professional advisers such as accountants, lawyers, bankers that you have come into contact with
People you have met at trade fairs or conferences
Family, friends and associates
Suppliers can form a particularly effective part of your network. They are probably dealing with other companies in your sector and may know who is recruiting. Contact everyone in your network and explain your situation and what you are looking to do. Ask for their help. Your network will be able to do the following for you:
Provide you with information
Allow you to use their name as an introduction
Introduce you personally
Talk to others on your behalf
Recommend you to others
A great way to network is by maintaining an online professional profile. These profiles typically go beyond simply a list of your experience and achievements and actually allow others to recommend you, an amazingly powerful tool.
You could create a profile on LinkedIn. Zoominfo is also another site used by many professional recruiters for mid to senior level positions so it is worthwhile creating your profile there too.
Social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace can also be useful but do remember that potential employers may be viewing your profile so ensure that its content is professional!
Finally, always remember to thank people in your network who help you. If you do not, you may find that they stop helping pretty quickly!
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