Networking is the best way to find a job in our current economy and it helps you to stand out from the crowd. Although it may take time to establish a network of colleagues, networking has great rewards if done correctly. The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines Networking as: “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.”
There are many Websites that you can use to network, but I feel that LinkedIn is the best tool for professional networking. LinkedIn gives you access to CEOs, recruiters, hiring managers, and other individuals whom you usually would not have access to. As a fellow job seeker, I always encourage people to target and research specific companies, then follow up by searching LinkedIn to find and connect with someone in the target company.
Most people feel that networking for a job simply entails contacting friends or former coworkers. However, it involves much more than that. Do not depend solely on your current network of friends; keep reaching out to new people and expand your network. I have met wonderful, and might I add, helpful individuals on LinkedIn. Make a network plan and first think about what you can share with others in order to help them. Always bring something valuable to the table and others will be willing and ready to assist you. It could be something as simple as giving advice, sharing a great career article, passing on job or business leads.
In addition to networking, you can stand out in other ways. When you respond to a position on a job board, always look to see if a phone number is included in the job ad. Assuming the ad doesn’t preclude contact with the company, call and follow up in a few days. Companies receive so many resumes and cannot respond to each applicant; your resume might not even reach its destination because of being automatically filtered by resume scanning software. I recently called a recruiter to follow up on a position I had applied for. When the recruiter could not find my resume, he asked me to resend it while I was on the phone with him. My follow-up phone call resulted in an instant interview.
Most people are applying for jobs online; so why not try faxing your resume if a fax number is provided in the job posting? If the company provides an address and doesn’t have any restrictions, send your resume with a cover letter via snail mail (U.S. Postal Service).
When searching for a job, remember to be flexible. You may need to take a position that pays less or something out of your chosen field, but at least you will get your foot in the door and generate income.
Networking can be intimidating when you first start out, but put aside all your fears and go for it! In tough times, there will be fierce competition for any available job; networking might give you the edge that you need to get your foot in the door or at least help you to gain access to a decision maker. Be sure to include all forms of networking in your career search, including professional/social online networking, and in-person networking; do not rely on any one method. Online networking on LinkedIn is great, but don’t exclude face-to-face networking.
So are you ready to stand out from the crowd? Get out there, network, and land that job!
Marleen Graham is an Information Technology Professional, with more than 11 years experience, specializing in UNIX and Windows Systems Administration. She is an avid networker who enjoys helping others. Marleen is a firm believer that networking is the key to finding a job, and business clients in any economy. She also knows that networking is more about giving, and sharing, than it is about receiving.
Marleen is also a writing enthusiast; in her spare time, she loves to write articles for eHow.com, Ezine Articles, and SelfGrowth.com. In the future she would like to write a book to further share her knowledge and experiences with others.
To find out more about Marleen please visit her profile on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/marleengraham
eHow Articles can be found at:
http://www.ehow.com/members/mgraham1-articles.html
Related posts:
