How to Build a Network for Your Job Search

How to Build a Network for Your Job Search There  are  four  basic  categories  of  networking  contacts.  Each  has  its  own  unique  value  and  a  good networking  campaign  will  draw  from  each  category.1.  People  you  know  well:  friends,  family,  neighbors  and  co-workers.   This  is  a  good  place  to  begin  your  campaign  because  these  are  the  people  who  are  close  to  you  and  who   have  the  most  interest  in  your  success  and  are  excellent  networking  contacts.  There’s  also  a  certain  bit   of  comfort  in  starting  with  those  you  know,  like  and  trust. This  is  the  group  that  you  can  ask  for  the  most  assistance.  However,  when  networking  with  this  group,  it   is  important  to  set  clear  goals.  They  may  want  to  help  more  than  you  want.  It  is  also  important  to acknowledge  their  value  and  to  say  thank  you.  Don’t  take  this  group  for  granted.  You  never  know  who   those  closest  to  you  might  know.2.  People  you  see  occasiona lly:  acquaintances,  business  contacts.   More  than  25%  of  the  people  who  find  jobs  through  networking  received  the  referral  from  someone   they  see  once  a  year  or  less!  With  the  advent  of  social  media,  it’s  possible  to  receive  referrals  from   individuals  you  never  meet  in  person.  While  these  are  people  with  whom  you  may  be  less  comfortable,   have  offer  some  of  the  greatest  potential.  Ask  this  group  for  ideas  and  referrals. When  making  contact  you  may  need  to  reintroduce  yourself.  State  your  purpose,  acknowledge  their   value,  and  request  a  meeting  (most  likely  virtual,  depending  on  the  relationship).  It  is  a  good  idea  to  set   reasonable  time  limits  for  the  meeting.  Let  them  know  you  only  want  10-20  minutes  of  their  time.  Be   sure  you  stick  to  your  time  limit.  Come  well  prepared,  be  professional  and  organized  in  your  discussion.   Remember  to  follow  up  with  a  thank  you.3.  Referrals  from  your  other  networking  contacts.   Stretch  your  network  by  meeting  new  people  who  are  the  friends,  associates,  and  acquaintances  of  your   networking  contacts.  Again,  these  are  more  and  more  likely  to  be  found  online  in  your  social  media   accounts.  Look  to  LinkedIn  first  and  foremost. In  every  meeting  or  discussion  you  should  also  ask  if  the  person  knows  of  anyone  else  to  whom  you   should  speak.  Sometimes  these  will  be  people  with  additional  information,  but  they  may  also  be   potential  employers.  When  approaching  a  referral  contact,  you  should  introduce  yourself  with  a  lead   statement  that  will  get  their  attention.  It  is  very  useful  to  use  the  name  of  the  person  who  referred  you.   State  your  purpose  and  request  a  meeting.  You  should  also  limit  the  time  for  the  meeting,  be  well   prepared,  and  professional.  Agai n,  remember  to  follow  up  with  a  thank  you.4.  Cold  calling  people  you  do  not  know  and  to  whom  you  have  not  been  referred.   Through  your  employment  research,  social  media  accounts  and  networking  you  may  discover  the  names   of  people  with  whom  you  would  like  to  talk.  This  type  of  contact  takes  another  level  of  confidence,  but   the  potential  is  great.  Take  the  initiative  and  you  will  find  that  these  contacts  will  pay  off.  Plus,   remember  that  with  LinkedIn,  you  have  the  opportunity  to  find  and  reach  people  more  easily  than  at   any  time  in  our  history. Just  always  remember  that  the  squeaky  wheel  gets  the  grease!  So  if  LinkedIn  doesn’t  pay  off  with  a   response,  don’t  avoid  picking  up  the  phone  and  trying  to  connect.  Not  everyone  stays  connected  to  their   social  media  and  some  are  so  overwhelmed  that  only  a  phone  call  may  allow  you  to  stand  out.  Once   you’ve  made  contact  and  received  any  level  of  assistance,  again  be  sure  to  say  thank  you.