Going through a job search means networking, not only online, but also off-line. And while networking off-line may be a little scary at first there are so many incredible opportunities that you have to get over your nervousness to take advantage of this veritable treasure trove.
You should always start with what you know which means friends, relatives and coworkers. Often times your friends and relatives know more people than you may give them credit for. For instance, your best friend's other friend may know the president of the very company you want to work for and you'll never know unless you ask. Make sure that your friends and relatives know that you are in the market for a new job. Sometimes it's more difficult to get the word out with coworkers at present job but if you've been laid off or have suffered from an economic downturn it's perfectly acceptable to ask your former boss or other coworkers for referrals to other companies. And, especially if you left the company with a good working record, a referral from one manager to another can often get you that much coveted interview.
But networking doesn't stop with people you already know. You have to cast a wider net. Depending upon the job you are seeking you may also want to attend a few Chamber of Commerce meetings or other local club meetings to meet businessmen in an environment where they may be more relaxed and where you may have the chance to talk about your skills and accomplishments.
Don't forget the opportunity of contacting other coaches or mentors with whom you've remained in contact over the years. Think about your Christmas card list of people you may only send a card to once a year but who would welcome a phone call from you.
Another opportunity is your local church. Those who attend church at a large organization will find that there are often opportunities to network with business people as well as take advantage of their knowledge of the office staff. For instance, the church office often knows of businesses who are currently hiring or who may be able to put you in touch with managers and CEOs.
Also look for networking clubs. These are individuals who get together to meet approximately once a month to discuss a variety of topics. They are often made out of individuals who are in similar fields. In other words, you don't often find networking clubs who include IT, retail and marketing in the same meeting. These are great opportunities to meet with individuals on a one-on-one basis or learn of job openings at companies before they are even published. Most networking clubs will allow you to attend one or two meetings before you have to join.
If you can't find a networking club in your own area then you may want to decide to start one of your own. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only demonstrate your ability to work independently and think "outside the box" to potential employers but also to give back to your community. Another advantage to starting a networking club, if there isn't one locally, is that you are likely to pick up free press coverage in the local paper. If your club is covered by the local paper be sure to cut out the article to demonstrate your leadership in the organization.
In today's world we often think of networking as an online activity but we have to remember that networking started in the off-line world. Networking has always been an excellent opportunity to successfully gain employment in management positions. Many companies will first look for new managers through headhunters or through the recommendations of others before openly posting such positions in trade journals or even the newspaper. This is because individuals who come to them from recommendations or headhunters often perform at a higher level then those that simply answer a published posting.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at www.trishking.com or http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com
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