Networking 101

Barbara Safani, M.A., CERW, NCRW, CPRW, CCM

Frequently when people loose their jobs, the stress of the job loss is exacerbated by the fact that they haven't stayed in touch with their network. Here are a few tips for quickly mobilizing/growing your network and moving your search forward.

Get organized
Get your job search documents,rolodex, outlook contacts, recruiter contacts, etc. in order before you begin making any calls. Job seekers accumulate a lot of stuff...documents, business cards, phone numbers, etc. quickly, so find an electronic or paper-driven method for organizing information.

Make a list
Who do you know and how are you connected to these people? Make a list and categorize the list into three groups of people. Group 1 are people in your immediate world; your friends, family, neighbors, accountant, doctor, dentist, etc. Group 2 people are those that have direct connections into companies you are interested in. Group 3 people are directly connected to open positions such as recruiters and hiring managers. Once your list is made you can prioritize contacts and strategize who to contact when.

Create Visibility
If your network is a bit on the lean side, join a professional organization, community group, sports team, volunteer affiliation or on-line community/blog. Become a giver and share information to create credibility and reciprocity within the community.

Attend Events
Audit professional and social events that allow you to connect with others and make informed decisions regarding which events to attend. Don't attend one event because it's free and decide not to attend another event because there is an entrance fee. Research the potential of each event and try to determine which will give you the most "bang for the buck."

Get Busy
Job search is a full time job and your greatest time commitment should be given to networking. Plan to spend 28 hours of your "35 hour" work week building and following up on networking leads.

Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, has over twelve years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications.