I recently read a good article on Networking. Many of us are good at Networking but some find it difficult to use their network effectively as part of their Job Search activity. Why is this so? It might be a cultural issue – English people are often reluctant to ask for help of advice – or it might be that the whole concept of Networking is alien and just “Not for you”. Here are some pointers:
When you are searching for a job, apart from checking the advertisements in newspapers, internet and job boards, it is very helpful to ask for information from the people on your warm contact list.
People you know can provide you with up-to-date information on the company and position vacancies that are not posted on job boards or advertisements. At times when they cannot provide you information about the job that you are looking for, they may be able to refer you to a person that they know who might be able to tell you something about the job.
This is is a key part of networking. Networking is when you start using your warm list to get information or referrals to their other contacts. Many people are switched off by the thought of networking. Some think it is not a reliable source of information about the job. Others say networking is more difficult than following the leads on the advertisements that are posted in the newspaper, internet or ad boards.
I believe that despite such beliefs, networking is not that difficult to do. You may just have to contact or meet some people, and you can get valuable information that can help in your career search. Another point is that the people you meet belong to the same industry, they can provide you information about hiring that isn’t advertised and first-hand facts about the company.
What is you are already networking and you just don’t know it? When you have seen an advertsement in the paper posted by a company you know little of, why not you ask your friends if they know somebody who works for the company? In this way even if you are not attracted by the idea of networking, it is still essential when seeking a job. To make networking easier and more productive for you, here are some helpful tips.
Prepare your warm contact list
When you have prepared your initial warm contact list, it will be easier to select the people who you prefer to call first. These are the people who you think have some information about the job. They may be former employers, colleagues and members of the professional organization belonging to the same industry. They usually have first-hand, up-to-date and reliable information.
Calling a warm contact
When you call a warm contact, inform them that you are actively seeking a job. Ask them to let you know if they have heard of job openings you might be interested in. It is better to let them know what type of job you are looking for. And remember to leave your contact number with them, so they can get in touch with you if they hear of anything. It is also better if you can leave a copy of your CV with them so they can show or submit it to someone who will be able to help you in your job search.
Think about your strengths and what you have to offer before calling your contact
You warm contact may ask about your skills, experiences, abilities, interests, expectations and career goals. You should be able to talk about these openly and be able to describe what information you would like to have from your contact.
To help prepare, why not practice by drafting a script on what to say? In this way, you can spell out clearly what you would like to communicate to your warm contact.
Anticipate questions about yourself and practice answering questions about your previous job and what you can contribute to the company.
Ask for referrals
If your warm contact was not able to provide you information that will be helpful to your job search, ask them for the names of at least two people who they think will be able to help you. Get their contact number, and if possible, the time which they will be free to talk over the phone.
Contact referrals immediately
When your warm contact gives you referrals, they may even call this person to inform them that you will be asking for more information. Sometimes, the person you were referred to will be calling your warm contact. The problem: lack of confidence in her ability or more precisely, lack of knowledge of how to go about it. Therefore, it is important if possible to call your referrals within a few days after you have spoken with your warm contact.
When you make a call, introduce yourself and inform the person who has been referred you how you are related with the person who referred you. Be polite, but straightforward, in letting the person know what information you are seeking.
In summary. Networking really isn’t a difficult thing to do. It just needs plenty of practice and experience and with that you can maximize the benefits that you can get from networking and from your network.