By Tara Yuill
Ask some of your friends about how they found out about their job opening and most of them will tell you a story about how they knew someone who told them about the opening or they were in the right place at the right time. Either way most people seem to be getting jobs through networking. Whether you are looking for a new job or a new career you will need to know how to network.
I heard a story the other day about a woman who had been desperately trying to get a teaching position in a college. She had filed all the appropriate applications and submitted her resume a dozen times. She had even called to confirm that they had received it yet she still never got a call. Then one-day she was attending a conference and over heard two people talking about the fact that they were in desperate need of a teacher and they just couldn’t find anyone. Being brave she spoke up and told them that she would love to teach the course. Believe it or not she was hired and is still teaching there today.
There are a multitude of reasons that allowed this woman to get that position, but first and foremost she was out there talking with people in her field and if she had not been doing that she would still be submitting resumes and waiting by the phone. Networking can take many forms and is simpler than you might think. When you make the decision to start looking for a job tell everyone you meet that you are looking for a job.
You can never tell who might know of an opening that would be perfect for you. Make contact with individuals in your field of interest and try to set up a quick informational interview to see what there take is on the job market. You never know what will happen. They may not have a job opening but they may know of other companies that are hiring. Attend conferences and workshops that are offered. These are great places to meet individuals that have the inside track to current openings. The most import thing to do is be professional when you out networking. Make sure you have all of your information and do not expect them to offer you a job on the spot.
Here are some great links that can help you get started!
www.quintcareers.com/networking.html
www.rileyguide.com/network.html
http://jobsmart.org/hidden/index.cfm
www.job-hunt.org/hiddenjobmarket.shtml
