Kelly Pate of the Denver Post wrote in her article, Everyday People Key in Job Networking (March 30, 2003), that "Friends, friends of friends, a barber, a neighbor and former co-workers are often the best resources for job seekers, especially in a market with far more people out of work than job openings, job placement experts say."
You are networking when youIn his blog Adopting the Mentoring and Networking Lifestyle, John Kobara says "I discovered that mentoring and networking are more than popular techniques to broaden your thinking about your career and your life. To be effective as a mentor/mentee or in networking you have to integrate these into you life. You need to mentor and network in everything you do." His blog discusses how the adoption of a lifestyle of connecting with and guiding others at all times can benefit your career as well as you personally.
- attend professional or trade association meetings
- talk to other parents when attending your child's sporting or music events
- volunteer for a local park "clean-up" day
- visit with other members of your social clubs or religious groups
- talk to your neighbors
- strike up a conversation with someone else waiting at the veterinarian's office
- post messages on mailing lists or in chat rooms
- talk to sales persons who are visiting your office
In Terms of a Job Search, Networking is the way to Go!
Networking is also consistently cited as the Number 1 way to get a new job. You know how everyone says that "80% of the jobs available never get advertised? This is how you find them and get them!According to CareerXRoad's 2007 Annual Sources of Hire Survey, 34% of new hires brought in from outside an organization were due to employee referrals.The folks who do the hiring would much rather talk to someone who's been recommended by someone they already employ. It's easier for them because they have your first reference and it saves them considerable effort in advertising the position and sorting through all the resumes and phone calls.My Own Networking Story
I am where I am now because of networking, especially networking online via mailing lists. When I was ready to make the transition from university librarian to private consultant, it was my network that presented the initial opportunities to get me going (an introduction to the senior management at Drake Beam Morin, a request from the Employment and Training Administration for project work, an invitation from the National Business Employment Weekly to do some writing, and even an offer of a book contract.) Even today, the network is there to provide support and assistance when needed, and I am there for them when they need me.
What Networking Isn't
Networking isn't a process of making cold-calls to people you don't know. It's talking to people you do know or asking them to introduce you to others.Networking does not have to be a carefully-choreographed process of meeting and greeting people. It's much better done on a more informal basis, but remember that networking is always a two-way street. It must benefit both persons to be most effective, so as you ask your network for help when you need be prepared to return the favor when asked.We have several articles with Tips on Networking. Once you are comfortable with the general practice, then it is easy to take it online because the same basic principles apply.
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How Do I Network Using the Internet, and Why?
The Internet can be a great way to begin those casual relationships that turn into wonderful networking opportunities. Since we aren't face-to-face with the other person, the stress of making these new connections is greatly alleviated, but don't think that it's an easy market out there. It is very important that we begin these relationships in the right way. Since we can't use our voices or body language to express ourselves, we are limited to making sure the words we use and the ways in which they are presented properly represent our intentions. To be blunt,Don't make a mess of a great opportunity
to connect with people in hiring places!
And I'm not just referring to the new Internet users. A lot of Internet oldie-moldies need a reminder that there are real people behind the electrons, and real people make real decisions based on your electronic communication blunders.Advantages of Online Networking
- There are thousands of discussion groups and community forums covering hundreds of subjects.
- You can "break the ice" before meeting someone in person.
- You can listen, engage, or be engaged as you wish. No one can see you sweat, and you don't have to feel like a wallflower since no one can see you standing off by yourself.
- Many recruiters are lurking the lists to find potential candidates.
Disadvantages
You may chuckle at that last one, but a friend of mine who participated in a mailing list for professional engineers told me that one participant on the list was so nasty online that no one would attend his presentations at conferences nor refer business opportunities to him. Talk about having your online persona affect your offline professional reputation.
- Networking online is just as difficult as networking in person! In fact, it may be harder because you can't really establish a true personal relationship online.
- First impressions count even more. Be very careful with your first public posting.
- Your online behavior matters more than you think. Don't be a jerk, and I really mean it!
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Netiquette: The Fine Art of Correct Behavior on the Internet
Do not go boldly where you have never gone before!
We have several articles discussing Netiquette on our page of Networking Tips along with some alarming information on The Internet As A Job Reference. They are required reading before you start strutting your stuff online.
- Stop and learn the rules of netiquette, and then follow them!
- Look for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (the FAQ) so you don't ask the same questions that everyone else has.
- Listen patiently to the discussion groups you have joined and learn the tone, language, and culture of the group.
- Never post your resume to the list nor open ask if anyone can help you find a job unless the group is specifically set up for this kind of service.
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Where to Network Online
This is where mailing lists, chat rooms and web forums, and social networking websites come in. Many professionals use these communication mediums for networking, discussing recent developments in their occupation or industry and asking questions of each other. Anyone involved in a job search or career exploration can benefit from following these online, public discussions, learning about current trends and developments and the interests and concerns of those involved.Chat Rooms and Web Forums are like your office water cooler. Conversations can be highly professional or very informal. Numerous web sites and online services like Vault.com and AOL's People Connectionoffer you the opportunity to create your own virtual meeting space.Social Networking Websites are a little different in that they work the "six degrees of separation" concept to the extreme, using the Internet to turn who you are, who you know, and what you know into a monster-sized spider net of connectivity. These include services like LinkedIn and Networking for Professionals. Some may be more casual, but others are targeted to professional linkages. We have more information and a list of several of these sites on our page for Networking and Support Groups
Mailing Lists are a long-standing communication forum heavily used in academic and research professions. While many now have web interfaces, they still operate via email, meaning you must have a personal email account to participate. To find mailing lists that might be relevant to your industry or profession, search the CataList maintained by L-Soft or Yahoo! Groups.
What Might You Find?
These many networking / discussion sites can cover a broad variety of topics and fields. Many carry occasional job postings, usually in advance of print announcements, and they are a good resource for networking contacts, industry trends, and other developments. Look for sites and services dedicated to the industry you want to target, the employer(s) that interest you, or even the community where you want to live.Public participation in discussions is necessary to get networking contacts. You will also need to provide your own credentials at some point to make connections with others. This may include your name, current employer, a vague (yet correct) job title, and email address (see why under Making Contact, below).
We recommend you use a free, personal email account for your networking and community discussion groups. Many employers have policies against use of their resources (i.e., email) for personal pursuits and many more monitor employee email. You can also protect yourself from spamming and nasty downloading freeloaders. We have a list of free web-based email services for you to peruse.
When you begin checking out these various discussion forums, it is best for you to monitor the discussions for a while,looking for information on the field or discipline. You should not participate in the discussions until you are quite comfortable with the group. Before you start actively participating, read over and memorize the rules of Networking Netiquette. Nancy Halpern's article on E-Networking reviews this topic in much more detail, particularly addressing some of the community forums that you can find online.
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Making Contact
How do you know who to connect with online?Look for postings by someone who seems to be knowledgeable about the topic being discussed. Note their email address at the top, and look for signature information citing their organizational affiliation, position in the organization, and more complete contact information.
Once you have identified some mailing list participants you want to contact, prepare your email letter very carefully. Be professional and especially polite, and double-check for grammar and spelling errors before sending your message.
- Be sure to contact the person directly and not through the list. Do not post a general message to the list or newsgroup asking if anyone is willing to talk to you.
- Be concise. Identify yourself, state why you are contacting this person, and list some of your interests and where you noticed some correlation with his or her interests as noted in the postings you've read.
- Do NOT send this person a copy of your resume. You are networking, trying to establish a relationship that extends far beyond just "please help me find a job." A resume will blow everything to bits at this point. Just relax and let the relationship build to a point where a resume will be requested or you feel comfortable asking for advice on preparation.
- Request a follow-up to this email, via phone or email. Give your contact the choice of how to continue.
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Need More Info or Assistance?
We also have information on Networking and Support Groups, Enetworking, and Networking and Support Groups. The resources on our page for Job Search Guidance may also have helpful ideas for you.
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