Networking: Proven Tool For Job Seekers 

By Ruben Britt

Assistant Director

Career and Academic Planning Center

Rowan University

Networking has been the underlying factor in the survival of the human species since the beginning of time. Among African civilizations, networking was the essential element in the construction of the pyramids, the African metal age, and many other successful periods on that large continent.

 

So what is networking?

 

Networking is a system for accessing and tapping into information, resources, and support that might not necessarily be available to the general public. Often, these contacts are someone you already know. Today's job seekers can increase their chances of finding a position by using the age-old concept of networking. According to the National Center for Career Strategies, 70 percent of the jobs in this country are obtained through networking while another 14 percent are found through advertisements. Evidence shows networking to be a highly productive method in uncovering the hidden job market.

The primary reason for using the network is to acquire specific information that will give you the edge. A tip from a colleague or friend could alert you to a potential job opening not yet advertised. Better yet, that same person could be familiar with the specific type of individual that company wishes to employ.

Tapping into your people information base can provide the key to your successful job search. The average person interacts with approximately 20 to 25 people per day. Networking is maximizing every contact. The success of your job search will depend on your ability to employ all of those resources around you and to use that information to devise a sound game plan.

 

Sound Network

 

A sound network came plan includes the following tips:

· Set goals that clearly define the direction you intend to take.

· Assess your skills and capabilities, and focus on positions that match your abilities.

· Utilize career services professionals at your college or university to assist you in your job search. Many of these individuals may have the inside track on current openings, or they may provide you with a contact with a prospective employer.

· Capitalize on your current or past academic faculty network by contacting your professors to learn of job leads. Other contacts include colleagues at work, school, friends and family.

· Attend job and career fairs and talk with employer representatives. Make sure you get their business cards for a familiar inside contact.

· Research potential employers through various resource guides in the career service library.

· Join professional organizations and attend conferences. Many of these professional organizations provide information on job openings for its members and conference participants.

 

Evidence shows networking to be a highly productive method in uncovering the hidden job market, so set up informational interviews with potential employers.

 

Aside from these tips, the success of utilizing the network system in your job search will require you to be steadfast and diligent. It still holds true. Sometimes, it is not as important what you know, but who you know when it comes to landing the job.

 

Ruben Britt, Jr. is the Assistant Director of the Career and Academic Planning Center at

Rowan University in Glassboro , New Jersey .

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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