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Network Your Way to Your Next Job

Network Your Way to Your Next Job

Leveraging your professional and personal connections can be an effective strategy for securing your next job. The conventional yet reliable approach of Networking remains the most successful way to land your dream position.

As per Jobvite’s 2022 Job Seeker Nation Survey, a majority of job seekers (46%) discover job openings through their friends and acquaintances, while professional connections (25%) also play a crucial role in the job search process.

 
Research consistently identifies networking as an important job search tool — anywhere from 40-80% of job placements are attributed to networking. When networking, it’s also important to also learn how to access the hidden job market. The “hidden job market” refers to jobs that are not advertised publicly. These positions may be filled through employee referrals, recruiters, or direct contact with hiring managers through networking.) With the right experience and credentials to meet a company’s need, you may even have a job created just for you.
 
It happens all the time. Someone in your network says, “You know what? You should talk to John Jones at the XYZ Company. They’re looking for someone like you.”
 
This guide will help you identify who is in your network and how to use these connections to find your next job. 

Build Your Network Before You Need It

The single biggest mistake most job searchers make is not asking for help from their network. People want to help you — so let them! But don’t wait until you’re out of work to start developing relationships with your network.
 
As author Harvey Mackey says, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” Develop your contacts, be willing to help these folks with their needs, and they will be there when you need them!
 
The more people who know you are looking for a job, the more eyes and ears that will be available to help. Networking is about getting the people you already know to help connect you to the people who will help you land your next career opportunity.
 
Figure out how to revive your personal network. Next, tap into your network for specific assistance. For example, if you want to work at a particular company, ask people in your network if they know anyone who currently works for — or used to work for — “Company X.” Then contact that person and ask about the company, culture, and hiring practices.

Who Is in Your Network

he first step is to identify who is in your network. This can include: friends, relatives, parents of children’s friends, parents and relatives of your friends, club members, cousins, neighbors, current and previous co-workers and managers, suppliers, professional association contacts, your community contacts (civic leaders, clergy, etc.), and your doctor, financial advisor, or attorney. Your holiday card list, if you have one, can be a good starting point for identifying who is already in your network.
 
If you don’t already have a list, start one! Make a list of all of your contacts — past employers, vendors, customers, colleagues, competitors, and other people you know. You never know who may have a great lead or know of an unadvertised opportunity.
 
Then, expand that list. Here are some ideas for other people to add to your network.
 
Personal Contacts:
•     Friends
•     Relatives
•     Parents of children’s friends
•     Parents of your friends
•     Relatives of friends
•     Club members (country club, swim club, sports club)
•     Associations
•     Military service personnel
•     Sorority/fraternity
•     Cousins
•     Neighbors
•     Sports team members
 
Business Contacts:
•     Current co-workers
•     Previous co-workers
•     Previous managers
•     Consultants
•     Vendors and suppliers
•     Retirees
•     Seminar, conference, and workshop attendees
•     Business owners
•     Competitors
•     Clients/customers
•     Venture capitalists
•     Members of industry associations
•     Contacts you make at conventions and job fairs
 
Third-Party Contacts:
•     Accountants
•     Doctors
•     Real estate brokers
•     Financial advisors and bankers
•     Attorneys
•     Dentists
•     Mortgage bankers/brokers
•     Insurance agents
•     Travel agents
 
Educational Contacts:
•     Elementary, middle, and high school friends and teachers
•     College classmates and friends
•     Alumni association contacts
•     Graduate school classmates
•     Other alumni of your schools
•     University career-placement office staff
•     Former professors and advisors
 
Community Contacts:
•     Civic and political leaders
•     Librarians
•     Clergy/ministers
•     Chambers of Commerce
•     Community groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, Scouts)
•     People you meet while volunteering
•     Health club members
 
Assemble the contact information for these individuals and add them to your list.
 
You can also brainstorm contacts you need to make. Write your desired job target at the top of a piece of paper. Then, make a list of potential employers on the left side of the page. On the right side of the page, make a list of people you know who can connect you with these companies.
Potential Employers 
People Who May Connect You
Value
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Here are some more opportunities to develop your network:
  • Attend networking events (for example, those hosted by your professional organization, Chamber of Commerce, Meetups, and tips groups). Attend association meetings and take advantage of educational opportunities.
  • Work as a volunteer. For example, in your industry association, the Membership Committee is a great place to start. The Program Committee (that plans events) or the committee that helps line up event sponsors can also be good choices. Getting involved in any organization is beneficial. Volunteering is one of the best ways to network your way to new contacts.
  • Participate in an online community. This can be a social networking site like Facebook or LinkedIn, Alignable, an alumni site (like Classmates.com), or your trade association’s website (which might have an elist or message board to connect members).
  • Contact your alumni groups. Your college or university should have an alumni association (often with a directory of members) that can be useful. You can mine the directory for contacts in your field, even if they didn’t graduate in the same year as you. Your alma mater connects you.
  • Read your local business journal to find out about growing companies. Pay particular attention to the “People” section (the section that highlights promotions and new hires at companies) and see if there are any contacts you can make.
  • Reference directories can also lead you to the right people. For example, the Manufacturers’ News (www.mnistore.com) sells databases and print directories of manufacturing businesses and contact information for the decision-makers at these companies.

Here's an example of a list of reference directories for companies in manufacturing:

  • ThomasNet: This is a comprehensive directory of manufacturing companies in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, food, and pharmaceuticals. It includes detailed company profiles, product listings, and contact information.
  • MFG.com: This is a global manufacturing marketplace that connects buyers with manufacturers. It offers a searchable directory of manufacturers in various industries, including metal fabrication, plastics, textiles, and electronics.
  • IndustryNet: This is a comprehensive industrial directory that includes detailed profiles of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in various industries, including manufacturing. It offers a searchable database of more than 400,000 companies.
  • Kompass: This is a global B2B directory that offers information on manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in various industries, including manufacturing. It offers a searchable database of more than 10 million companies worldwide.
  • QS Directory: This is a comprehensive directory of manufacturers and suppliers in various industries, including metalworking, plastics, and electronics. It offers a searchable database of more than 500,000 companies and includes detailed company profiles and product listings.

These are just a few examples of the many reference directories available for companies in manufacturing. Depending on your specific needs, you may find that one or more of these directories is particularly useful.

There are similar lists for many industries; i.e.: Transportationfashionhealthcare, etc.

How to Use Your Network

Use simple networking ideas to find a new job. The first is to contact specific people in your network — or your entire network — and let them know you are looking for ideas, information, advice, and contacts/referrals. Even if you’re contacting someone with the power to hire you, don’t ask for a job. Ask for advice or assistance, not a job. Create a Networking Cover letter. Click on the link leading you to a blog post titled: Cover Letter Template Free.  You will find three (3) free samples of networking cover letters. They are as follows:

  • Free Sample Networking Cover Letter After a Layoff
  • Free Sample Networking Cover Letter for a Relocating Jobseeker
  • Free Sample Networking Cover Letter for Updating Contact About a Job Search

Use a Cover Letter and send it with your resume to each of the contacts in your network. This is the broadest way to use your network, and can be useful if you are currently unemployed and not worried about jeopardizing your current job by visibly pursuing a new one.
 
A more effective way to use your network is a more targeted approach. Identify the specific need you have, and then contact people who are in a position to help you reach that specific job goal. The more specific you are about what you need or what you’re looking for, the more likely you are to get what you want.
 
For example, if you see an advertised opening for a position, go through your network and see who might be able to provide you with access to the hiring manager (or someone else who works at the company), information about that specific company (or the company’s position in the industry), or information about the specific position you’re seeking.
 
You can use your network contact to make an introduction to a hiring manager — either asking them to pass along your resume to that individual, introducing you directly, or allowing you to use their name when making an initial contact.


This post first appeared on Best Job Search, please read the originial post: here

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