You know how everybody always says networking is the best way to get a job? Well, I have a dirty little secret: For the longest time, I had no idea what networking was. People would say, "networking just means relationship-building." OK. But what does that mean, exactly? The whole thing remained vague and murky in my mind. When I finally grasped the concept, I realized, Dorothy-like, that I'd been doing it all along. In fact, the essence of networking is so simple I can summarize it in two words: Being. Friendly.
Psychologically speaking, people like to be friendly and helpful to people who've been friendly and helpful to them. That's human nature, and it can be very important when you're looking for a job. An article in the Riley Guide (an online directory that helps job seekers use the Internet to full advantage) points out some simple ways to network:
You are networking when you:
- Attend professional or trade association meetings
- Talk to other parents at your child's sporting or music events
- Volunteer for a local park "clean-up" day
- Visit with other members of your social clubs or religious groups
- Talk to your neighbors
- Strike up a conversation with someone else waiting at the
veterinarian's office
- Post messages on mailing lists or in chat rooms
- Talk to salespeople visiting your office.
Of course, some forms of job search networking are more obviously work-related. Examples include attending job fairs, going on informational interviews, joining formal networking groups, or using online social networking sites such as LinkedIn.
Job search networking gets a bad rap because a lot of people don't get that it has to be both ongoing and reciprocal. Here's another tidbit from the Riley Guide:
Networking does not have to be a carefully choreographed process of meeting and greeting people. It's much better done on a more informal basis. But remember that networking is always a two-way street.
In other words, don't start asking for favors unless you've built up good will by being friendly. If you're cranky and antisocial most of the time, then suddenly become sweet and smarmy when you need a job, no one's going to jump at the chance to help you.
What if you've relocated and haven't built up a network yet? The Working Girl blog addressed that issue in Creating Contacts 101:
Here’s what Working Girl did when she moved to Paris. She started with the name of one person, a friend of a friend of a friend. She called that person and asked to speak with her about possible freelance writing opportunities. At the end of the talk, she asked for names of other people she could contact.
Rinse. Repeat.
Simple, n'est-ce pas?
And if you still don't have a good grasp of what this networking thing is all about, pop over to the Jibber Jobber blog and read 66 Tips for Better Networking. That ought to be enough to clear it all up.
How about it… Do you have any particularly successful or unusual networking tricks to share with your fellow job seekers? Cough 'em up!
Networking is 24/7. Don't forget your doctor, dentist, accountant... Just think how many people pass before them each day! The other day my dentist told me about a great college grad who had come in for a teeth cleaning that a.m. She was looking for a position and the dentist told me all about her great skills! The college grad had been coming to that dentist for many years and he truly wanted to help her. I actually had a lead and the dentist had his assistant write it down and call the other patient. You never know!
@Samantha...
Yes, yes, yes! This is a classic networking story. This kind of thing works because, as you say, people truly want to help.
YOU feel good for passing on the lead, the dentist feels good for helping the patient, the patient (job seeker) feels good because she's got a hot lead, and the employer feels good because they get a candidate that someone has recommended. (And I feel good, too :)
Networking rocks.
~Julie
but what about feeling uncomfortable about telling people you are looking for a job because you foolishly quit a job and now are desperately seeking money?