Networking, simply defined is the art of building alliances. The goal is not to try to get as many business cards as possible in your rolodex but to build some sort of relationship with those whom you meet. Make a good impression and a lasting impression, and your job search might be just a little easier.
Why Make a Point to Network?
Everyone agrees that times are tougher and that getting your foot in the door is harder. In a survey of hundreds of businesses it was noted that in recent years, most new hires knew someone. Sending out cold resumes is no longer the way to land yourself a job. . .or even an interview for that matter. The way to get your foot in the door is by knowing someone who maybe knows someone.
How Do You Network?
More importantly, the question is how do you NOT network. If you only have one impression to make, it’s important to make a good one. You are networking by attending professional or trade conventions, talking to people in the veterinarian’s office, or volunteering for a neighborhood clean up day. It’s also highly recommended that you attend a job fair. Even if you don’t see anything there that you’re interested in, making a good impression with the folks that are in charge of hiring at several different companies is never a bad thing.
Throw a Networking Party
One last creative suggestion is to throw a classy party–especially if you’re new in town. If you invite 5 friends who each invite 5 friends who maybe invite a few more friends, you’re bound to hear of some job openings. It is reported that at least 80% of job openings are never advertised! Networking is the way you find out about those jobs.
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.