Where to find a job? Networking is another very efficient way of finding a new job.  So, what is it?  Simply put, it is using current contacts to generate potential job leads for you.  There are literally thousands of jobs that are never advertised, and it is this market that networking helps you plug into. By networking, you use the personal contacts you have, to get job leads.  We ought to qualify personal contacts in the job search context.  They would be any person that can do any of the following for you.

• Offer you a job directly
• Give you information regarding a current vacancy
• Refer you to someone who can offer you a job
• Refer you to someone who can either get your CV read or offer you an interview
• Give you a name (and maybe a recommendation to) someone who can make decisions of this nature
• Give you the name of someone who knows the name of someone who is looking to hire someone like YOU!

Interesting, I hear you say, but I don’t know anyone.  Hey, EVERYBODY has people like this that they know.  All you have to do is ask the right questions.  If you’re out of work, it’s easy.

How To Find Jobs – Ask!

“Hey, John, you know I’m looking for a job right now, do you know anyone who can help me out?”  Easy isn’t it?  O.K if you’re in a job and looking in the same market, you have to be a little more careful about getting referrals, but it is still one simple question, albeit in confidence.

A word of warning here.  Please, do not be afraid to use your contacts to the maximum.  I’ve known people not talk to brothers and sisters because emotions like pride got in the way.  Use all possible avenues, maximise your contacts.  Don’t be guilty of the cardinal sin, “I must do this myself!”.  Very noble, but it could well prolong your job search.

It could only be a quick call from a business associate, a personal introduction to a potential employer or maybe simply a verbal recommendation, but USE it, it’s something and it helps.  And, it is these sorts of recommendations that often just help to tip the scales in your favour.

Consider the following example;

You currently work for one of the major brewers selling, say, beers to the local off-licences and clubs.  You have decided that it is time to make a move, and being one of the top salesmen, naturally you would like to make a step upwards at the same time.  Unfortunately your current company are not doing so well, and there has not been an area managers job available for months.  As far as you can see, you have to be a graduate to get that role anyway, and you didn’t get a degree.  Your attitude is positive, you are good with people, and are confident in your ability to do such a job.

As you have been in the industry for a long time, you have many contacts, but in particular you are interested in working for ABC brewery, they are young, go-ahead and have some great new products on the market.  You happen to know the Regional Director, you met at a beer conference six months ago, and struck up a rapport.

In view of your desire to work for that company, wouldn’t it make sense to give the Regional Director a quick call to see what the likelihood of a cross over would be?  He is likely to be flattered that you remembered him, flattered that you want to work for ABC, and flattered personally by the approach.  It shows initiative and positive attitude, as mentioned earlier, two of the most sought after characteristics.

Even if you don’t go straight in at Area Manager level with ABC, with the Regional Director knowing your aspirations, top performance, would quickly secure your ultimate goal.

So, to make the best of these situations, make a list of all possible contacts that could help.  That pen and paper will come in handy again here, because, as always, if you don’t jot the names down, yes, you’ve guessed it, you will forget them.

As far as this exercise is concerned, you will need to list anyone who could possibly help no matter how small a leg up it might be.  At the list making stage it is difficult to tell how much help any given person will be, how far they will go to help, how many strings they can pull, so list them all!  The maxim here is, you don’t know until you have asked.

It is also very dispiriting to find that someone you thought you could count on, may not deliver the goods for you.  Be prepared, just in case.  You will probably find that some people will surprise you to the good, whilst some you really thought could help, will not deliver.  Forewarned is forearmed!

How To Find a Job – People Can Help

Incidentally, don’t stop at personal contacts.  Most people will have a mass of business and miscellaneous contacts that may be able to help.  The following may fall into this category;-

• Former employers
• Teachers and college tutors
• School friends
• Members of your club
• Members of your church
• Past colleagues
• Present colleagues
• Professional contacts (eg; doctor, dentist, lawyer, banker etc)
• Former subordinates (don’t overlook this possibility)
• Trade bodies

So, scour your Filofax, Outlook Address Book, iPhone and Blackberry, leave no stone unturned!

Once you have listed all of your potential contacts, just have a quick think as to who is most likely to be able to help.  Make a note or mark by those people and contact them in a relevant order.

To conclude, obviously your first contacts should be the people closest to you.  These will be your close relatives and friends, all are likely to help as much as they can.  You would do the same for them….wouldn’t you?

And, finally, when asking for help be straight, and as specific as you can.

Final thought for this little section.  During your search, you will meet a lot of new contacts.  Do not hesitate to use these new contacts if you feel they are able to help you!