 Print
Make Contact!
1-26-2021
There are continuing studies showing that most available jobs aren’t advertised. So how do you find these jobs? Through networking. Use the people you know, both personally and professionally, for information and support.
You can start building your network by creating a list of the people you know, and don’t leave anyone off of the list even if you think they won’t be able to help you. They may have other contacts and if you build your network effectively, people you don’t know will become resources.
The easiest task is identifying those people that are most obvious in your life:
· Work and business coworkers, supervisors and acquaintances
· Faculty
· Friends
· Church members
· Club, fraternity and sorority affiliations
· Family
Next, think about the less obvious ways of expanding your network of contacts: search other avenues to find people you may not have yet thought of to build your network:
· Email Address Book: It could include contacts that you’ve done business with or thought about doing business with.
· Newsgroups and Digest Lists: When someone you know appears, send them a note.
· Bookmarks and Favorites: Reorganize these and see if there are tools and contacts needed to get you started in a particular career path.
· Volunteering: This is a great way to meet new people and build skills.
· Information Interviewing
· Job Shadowing: Spend all day with someone doing the type of work you are interested in.
· Attend Events: Attending career fairs, conferences and seminars can put you in touch with others in your field.
· Join Associations: Become an active member and use it as an opportunity to meet other members.
Once you have your list of contacts, come up with a plan on how and when you’ll contact them. Think about what you can give them to help you with your job search, be it a resume or CV or an outline of the type of work you’re looking for.
Lastly, once you’ve made your initial contacts make sure you stay on top of things. Keep your information very organized so you know who gives you what information, when and how to thank them and let them know how you followed up. Keeping a good networking list is extremely valuable both now and in the future.
Footnotes: Footnotes: Aleem Kamal,MBA is the President of Arza Employment Services Ltd based in Surrey, British Columbia.
|