Does Networking Feel Like Begging? Then You Are Doing It Wrong!

As a job seeker, you have probably heard three important statistics impacting job search success:

1) Between 45-75% of people get their job through networking

2) You have a 50 times greater chance of getting a job with a connection

3) Only 15% of the available jobs are posted online.

Even though networking greatly increases the chance of getting hired, too many job seekers refuse to network, many because they feel like they are begging when they go to a networking meeting. The good news is that is not what networking is about.

Here are the steps to follow to increase your chances of getting a job through networking:

      1)  Be prepared

Be sure you have all of your marketing materials ready. The job search requires much more than just a resume. For networking, you also need to know your elevator pitch, have an ample supply of job search business cards, and a complete LinkedIn profile.

     2)  Know WHERE to network

There are job networking groups in many towns but most of the attendees are not employed. That is not a target rich environment; it is like going to a married group looking for a date.

I am a professional affiliate of one of the nation’s best job networking groups, CrossroadsCareer.org and they serve a vital purpose. You also need to network with employed people especially people in your industry.

There are a number of ways to find industry groups in your area. The simplest approach to locating target rich groups is to search the internet using the name of your industry or job title, the word “association” and your state (example: technology association Georgia). You can also search for meetup groups for your industry or job title in your city (example: meetups data analysis Atlanta).

    3) Know HOW to network

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I am an introvert. I do not like networking because even the thought of it exhausts me. However, I know that networking is an essential life skill. Like me, you just need to learn how to do it, practice it, and do it!

There are a number of excellent books that help develop strong networking skills listed on the RightChanges web site (www.RightChanges.biz) under Highly Recommended Resources.

The great news is that it is just meeting and getting to know other people and you have done 

that all of your life.

RightChanges affordable and successful job search coaches are here to partner with you to learn and execute a results-oriented job search strategy to help you get the job you WANT! Through December 1 we have specials that makes it even more affordable. For more information go to www.RightChanges.biz.

Judi Adams

The Affordable and Successful Job Search Coach