Networking

A common misunderstanding of networking is that it is only for pushy social climbers or extroverts, but nothing could be further from the truth. Networking is just another way of accessing the hidden job market - using your circle of contacts as a source of suitable job opportunities.

Everybody has their own network. Typically it will be broken down into two areas:

Networking Areas

Business

• Work colleagues past and present - bosses, peers and subordinates.
• Other people you encounter in the course of your work - for example, clients, suppliers, outside service providers.
• People you meet through going on courses or whilst getting qualifications - people in similar lines of work to yourself.
• People you know through your professional body, or on committees that you have been associated with.

Social

• Friends
• Relatives
• Friends of other family members
• Neighbours
• People you meet through community associations, PTA, sporting or hobby clubs
• School and University colleagues

A good network is an ongoing process. You will continue to meet new and interesting people, which will offer you the opportunity to expand your world and enhance the quality of your professional life.

Using a Network Contact

You should use the following criteria in selecting people to approach:

• People who are able to help you with new career information. You can learn details about new companies and industries and even add to your target list.
• People who are knowledgeable within your field of interest. They will know people in your industry or your target group and may be willing to make enquiries on your behalf.
• People who are easy to approach and talk with - most likely good friends and former associates.
• People with wide connections of their own by virtue of their jobs or associations.
• Other job searchers who can exchange their networks with yours.

Use your network contacts to find out about new job opportunities, or as a way of meeting further contacts. When you meet people on a referral basis, you are no longer a complete stranger, as you are already linked by your contact. Networking is considerably better (and easier) than a cold call - it is much more effective to have a third party call and recommend you than doing it yourself.

Tips for Successful Networking

• Stress to your contacts that you need confidentiality - the last thing you want is your current boss finding out that you're casting about for another position.
• Don't use your network contacts to moan about your current position. It will send out entirely the wrong messages, namely that you might be difficult to work with and that you're only looking for an escape route from your present difficulties.
• Make sure that the messages you feed out to your network contacts are precise about the kind of job you're looking for - including the salary.

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