Do you know that almost 80% of all jobs are filled by word of mouth?  Just that fact makes the idea of networking sound a little more appealing.  Many people are put off or even afraid of networking, but it’s not as scary as you think and, truth be told, you are networking every day in every interaction you have with another person.  Now that you are looking for a job, you just need to focus that networking on your job search.

Networking is the method you use for developing relationships at work and in your community. You may belong to a professional or volunteer organization.  You belong to these organizations because you share interests with other members. Use these same techniques to promote your job search. Make a list of the contacts in your network and let them know the type of position you seek. Enlist their support in passing the word on to their contacts and sharing leads with you.  Be a focused and effective networker by being prepared with your “elevator speech.” Pay attention to networking etiquette, whether your contacts are made in person or online.

Your network consists of anyone who may be able to help you identify a job opportunity.  You can network in person or online using social media tools such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Don’t set limits on who should be a part of your network. Information can come from anyone, the person next to you on an airplane, an acquaintance or family member. People who know you, who like you, and who are aware of your skills will want to help you. They’ll inform you of opportunities and refer you to people in their network.  Start by creating a list of people to contact.  Here are some examples of who should be on your list:

• Friends and neighbors

• Family members

• Peers

• Current and former co-workers

• Current and former supervisors

• Fellow professional association members

• Current/former clients and customers

• Service providers (e.g. hairdresser, barber, doctor)

You may have some concerns about what to say to a contact so be prepared. Start by creating your “elevator speech.”  That is a 30-second statement (the time it takes to go up or down in an elevator) that clearly and succinctly describes your skills and the job you seek. Focus on what you can provide to a company—your value-add. 

Here’s an example:  

“Hi, I’m Joe Green and I am an experienced e-marketer. I help companies grow their business by developing robust marketing plans utilizing e-marketing, web development, and website promotion programs. I’m currently looking for an e-marketing specialist position.  Do you know of any companies who may be looking for someone with my skills? “   

Once you’ve developed your elevator speech, practice, practice, practice until it rolls off your tongue comfortably and effortlessly.

Your networking questions should include asking if your contact knows of any openings for someone with your skills and if they can provide a referral to someone else who may have any information about opportunities.

Make the most out of your networking opportunities by adhering to the basic rules of etiquette.  Don’t monopolize your contact’s time—be considerate and schedule conversations at their convenience. Be professional and polite—never pushy. Focus on getting leads and referrals and if the contact doesn’t have any at the moment, give them your business card and ask them to keep you in mind if they should hear anything.

By the way, you do have business cards, don’t you?  If not, head over to your nearest print center and have some created right away.  Make sure to include the title of the position you seek and/or a list of your key skills.

Make sure to follow up with a thank-you note, whether or not the contact yielded any information. You will want to stay in touch and check in with them again. Provide a copy of your resume if appropriate.

Be a good networker and pay it forward. Don’t wait until you’re out of a job to reach out to people. Check in with your contacts and be proactive in meeting new people—don’t just wait until you need a job. Keep in mind it’s not all about what your network can do for you--if you don’t offer your advice or connections to your contacts, they aren’t going to be very motivated to help you.

A few words about online social networking—it offers great potential for connecting with the right people at the right time, conveniently, from your computer.  Online social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn provide you with the opportunity to connect with people who know people who may be able to provide you with hiring contacts.

When you join LinkedIn you create a professional profile that highlights your expertise and accomplishments.  You then develop your network by inviting your contacts to connect with you on LinkedIn.  Pretty soon you receive invitations from others to connect and your network begins to grow. The power in using this type of social networking comes from the ability to search for and be connected with people who may help you in your job quest.  You can search by company to identify contacts at organizations where you’d like to work and request introductions from mutual contacts. Hiring managers regularly search LinkedIn for potential candidates. LinkedIn also has searchable job listings.  LinkedIn use is free, but premium membership is also available for a fee.

Formalize your networking plan today and make it a mix of face-to-face, online, and telephone connections.  You will find a robust networking program will bring you closer to your job goals and provide a big morale boost at the same time.Click to enter the date and a brief description of this news article or press release. You may want to include an excerpt from the article or a sentence or two about the publication in which the story appeared. To link the article title to another web site or document, select the title and click the "Link" button in your editing toolbar.