Networking

Networking can be a chore when we talk about it in a technical term, unless of course you enjoy building networks.  Socially, it has a very positive connotation and we should consider exactly what a “network” is and how it can positively impact your personal bottom line.

Simply described, your “network” is your social circle of contacts.  This includes your co-workers, friends, family and acquaintances.  Your network is a valuable resource; they provide moral support, share information like cooking tips and where to find the best deals.  They make you aware of events that you and your family may enjoy, and some really good contacts, help you find a job.

Social websites like Linked-In and Facebook are fantastic for keeping your network going.  It’s easy to say hello to an old friend or co-worker who you enjoyed talking to or working with at your job through these mediums.  Although you may not want to publicly post that you are looking for a job as your status update, it is wise to send personal messages to people who are in similar industries or who may have opportunities at their places of employment.  If they recommend you for a position, having their sponsorship will increase your chance of landing a great job!  Keep in mind, you should have an established relationship with the person prior to asking them for a favor or recommendation.  This way, if they are comfortable recommending you, it will be easier for you to get your foot in the door.

By putting the word out to your network, you can yield positive results with your job search.  It’s important to stay visible among your contacts and social networking makes this very easy to do.  If you are not familiar with the social networking concept, or would rather that not everyone know all of your business, perhaps you should consider a personal page and a work page so that you can keep the two worlds separate.  This is perfectly acceptable, so long as you give both networks the attention they need to help yield positive referrals when searching for a job.

Finally, if you land an interview through a person in your network, make sure you follow up and thank who helped you land the opportunity.  The last thing you would like to do is burn a bridge with someone who extended their help.