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Effective Networking
      Author:jobsdb.com     Source: jobsdb.com     Release Time:9/26/2008 10:11:28 AM     View Times:5662
 
Effective Networking
 

The word ‘Networking’ is one that strikes terror not only into the hearts of jobseekers but also entrepreneurs. It conjures up images of wandering round a function room trying to offload your business card to as many people as you can. We usually hate the idea of networking because we think it makes us look pushy, false or just plain desperate. Done properly is one of the most important elements of any effective job search strategy. Consider the facts that almost 80% of jobs are never advertised, and around 60% of executive vacancies are filled through networking. It is a job-search strategy that works. Some rules for effective networking:

Share and share alike
Think of networking as being about gathering and sharing ideas and see yourself as a knowledge resource: the more people you meet, the more information you will have that you can pass around. Make yourself a useful contact to other people. Be prepared to share your information and contacts in return.

Who do you network with?
Start with people that you know. Not only is it less daunting, but it is time effective to build on your existing network rather than try to create a completely new one from scratch. If you think you do not know anybody? What about getting help from the people you currently work with or have worked with. Think about the people you socialize with and their girlfriends / partners / friends. If everyone you know in turn knows just another 10 people, it is not hard to see how you potentially have access to hundreds even thousands.

Do not ask for a job
The most important thing to remember is that networking is NOT about asking people for a job. It is about asking people for information, advice or assistance. It is as much about asking what you can do for them as what they can do for you.

Identify new avenues to pursue
Do try to expand your network to include people whom you would not ordinarily come into contact with, perhaps from professions, cultures or backgrounds very different from your own. This is a great way of broadening your horizons and helping yourself to think creatively and more imaginatively about your career options.

Be clear on what you want to achieve
Remember you are NOT asking your contacts for a job. You might want to ask them for ideas about career opportunities you have not thought of, more information about options that you are already considering, or advice on your CV. Do remember also, to ask every contact if they can in turn put you in touch with two or more further contacts and in this way, you can grow your network.

Do research beforehand
Make sure you know as much as possible about the person you are meeting with, and how they may be able to help you. Keep your discussion focused, and not just a pleasant but ineffectual chat. People will be further impressed if you are well-prepared. If you are not, they may feel you are wasting their time as well as your own.

Meet your contacts face-to-face
It is much easier to strike up a rapport. It is usually much more memorable to them, and they will probably give you far more information than they would have done in a telephone call or an email. But only ask for 15 minutes of their time as most people are too busy to give up a 1-hour slot. Chances are that if they agree to 15 minutes, you will get the best part of half-an-hour.

Follow-up
Follow up all the leads you receive, even if they do not look too promising in the first instance. You can never tell how useful someone might be until you speak to them. Nor who they in turn might be able to put you in touch with. Furthermore, if someone has gone to the trouble of giving you a lead or a contact, it is simply rude not to follow up with it. Make sure also, that you write or at least email to thank the person who has given some of their time to you.

Set yourself some targets
Do not set yourself a target that is unachievable, and do not confuse quantity with quality. Make sure you give yourself time to prepare properly before you chat with someone, and follow up properly afterwards. For example, aim to contact roughly 3 new people every week.

Keep good records of all contacts
Keep notes about whom and what you talked about by putting a place a good record-keeping system right from the start. Do not think that you will be able to remember all this information.

Be patient
Finally, remember that networking is a long-term strategy, not a short-term fix. Do not get frustrated if the first person you talk to does not offer you a job on the spot. Put more time and effort into building up, and nurturing your network and it will pay dividends throughout your career.


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