CAREER RESOURCES: CHP 4 (Set I)

Networking requires effective:

Written communication (letters or email) and effective verbal and listening skills (meetings, interviews, and conversations)

Asking directly about a job is not as productive aas saying:

"I'm looking for a(n)___job. Do you have any advice for finding one in ___ (industry) (company) (city)?" This approach focuses on the word advice and makes your contacts more inclined to help.

Some organizations are not as accessible for career survey meetings as others. If your target employer is such an organization, follow these guidelines to identify people with whom you can meet for a survey:

1. Turn to your network 2. Search the internet 3. Confirm date and time 4. Choose a closely related employer target

One formal form of networking is the career information survey, also known as:

An informational interview, a career information survey is a meeting in which a job seeker interviews a contact about his or her job or career

Eliminate the contacts who, over time:

Are reluctant to help or have too many commitments to get involved

Be polite and get to the point quickly, show your contacts that you respect their authority and expertise:

Ask for their opinions and ask them to recommend additional job search strategies or job leads

Maximize your job and career development potential by following up on every lead:

Be persistent

Maximize your job and career development potential by contacting people who:

Can help with your career preparation and job search

Don't ask for a job during a:

Career Survey Meeting

Explain that you want to learn about your occupational field as part of your career planning research:

Do not say that you are looking for a job. Strangers are more likely to help you with research than with getting a job.

For written communication, follow proper business writing conventions and formatting:

Email is a perfectly acceptable way to network, but make sure your correspondence is professional and error-free. If necessary, have a friend or contact read your work to check for mistakes and to help you improve your clarity and conciseness.

Ask to speak to someone whose job is similar to your job target:

Emphasize that you are carrying out an assignment form your instructor or doing research in your field

Update your job search network list periodically to:

Ensure that your original choices were the best ones

Good choices for your personal support system are people who are willing to provide you with motivational support, such as the following:

Family, friends, school, work, and social acquaintances, former or current employers, career services staff, instructors and counselors from school

Be a resource to others, every job hunter can use regular encouragement:

If you're asked to help another job seeker, be gracious and willing to do so. Share their information with members of your network and send them leads that aren't a good match for your goals

The network of people who can help you with job leads and contacts is your:

Job search network

If possible, try to contact people in person, otherwise, use the phone or email to update them on your job search status and get additional assistance:

Make notes before you call anyone so that you know what to say if you reach the person or if you need to leave a message.

To make a survey appointment, contact at least two organizations that employ people in your field:

Making the initial contact in person is preferable.

Websites of professional organizations are worth reviewing carefully, they offer valuable resources for getting job leads and staying informed on industry developments. Many also offer:

Networking opportunities and mentoring programs in which experienced members work with new members to work toward their goals by offering advice and guidance and connecting them to resources and other contacts

Job clubs are also known as:

Networking or job search clubs

Job clubs can be located through:

Newspapers, alumni and employment offices, chambers of commerce, and online

Maximize your job and career development potential by contacting these people:

Repeat the process

Maximize your job and career development potential by discussing your job target with your contacts. In planned meetings, leave a copy of your:

Resume and a brief outline of your job target and qualifications. In spontaneous situations, follow up by sending the person these documents

One important reason for networking is to have:

Support, advice, and positive feedback while you undertake the challenge of looking for a job

At any one time, there are many more job openings:

Than the ones that are advertised

Personal support system:

The "inner circle" that can be counted on to encourage and motivate the job seeker

Networking begins with your personal support system:

The group of people who can motivate, advise, and encourage you during your job search and throughout your career

The larger your network:

The more networking contacts you have and the greater your chances of finding someone who knows about a job lead that could be a good fit

Job search network:

The people who can provide advice, job leads, referrals, etc.

Join and be active in professional, trade, and other relevant associations or groups:

These types of groups actively encourage people to enter their fields and are eager to offer assistance to job seekers

You could easily have 100 acquaintances, maybe more. Think of the number of leads you would get if even a quarter of these people gave you referrals.

This is why networking is such an important source of job leads

Using a list of questions prepared in advance, the job seeker makes the appointment and behaves as if:

This were a job interview; the job seeker's goal is to develop networking contacts and learn about a job or career.

Treat every networking contact:

Whether a planned or spontaneous opportunity with professional respect

Competitive edge:

You will have the edge over applicants who do not complete these activities

Informatioin:

You will obtain important information about the scope of jobs and the hiring procedures in your field. You may even get valuable job leads.

Be flexible and make it easy for your contacts to meet with you:

Your contacts are doing you a favor by helping you with your job search. Read each situation carefully; don't push to meet in person if they prefer a phone meeting

A job club is:

a group of job seekers who meet regularly to share experiences and advice, set goals, and offer encouragement

Networking is the top source of job leads because:

employers are more likely to hire people who are referred to them personally through networking

Job fairs (also called career fairs) are excellent networking opportunities because:

you can connect with many prospective employers at one time Make a good first impression, these events call for professional attire and behavior; pay attention to appearance and practice good manners

Each job seekers has a two-tiered network:

•A personal support system •Job search network

Additional guidelines for developing your references:

•Bc legal constraints may restrict your previous employers from giving a reference, ask former employers of a workplace •Do not use relative as references •Ask each reference to write a letter of reference that you can provide to potential employers •Let your references know when you will be using their names •Find both personal references (people who vouch for your good character) and professional references (that vouch for your work skills and qualities)

Other things to do when utilizing networking options:

•Bring your business card •Follow through with all referrals and thank contacts in writing •Stay in touch throughout your search and let your contacts know when you get a job

Select your support system members for their ability to do the following:

•Motivate you •Help you develop effective job search documents •Help you practice for interviews •Help you find solid job leads, provide job search advice, and/or share similar experiences

Professionals in your field can provide valuable inside information and advice to help you realize your career goals. Through your meetings, you will gain:

•Practice •Information •Competitive edge

Through networking you can:

•Seek career advice from many people and make them aware of your qualifications and availability •Tap into jobs you would not have access to w/out networking •Get insider information about the industry, trends, and job search and hiring methods in your field •Get access to information about specific employers •Promote yourself and make a good impression •Practice your communication and interviewing skills •Seek job leads and obtain referrals to other people who may be able to help you

You can increase your chances of being called for an interview by:

•Seeking unadvertised jobs that you find through networking •The more people you make aware of your search, the more solid leads you can get

Networking:

•The number 1 source of finding a good job •Developing relationships with people who can help in forming job search strategies and in finding strong job leads

Follow these guidelines for developing your references:

•Use only those references who have given you permission to use their names and thank them for allowing you to do so •Use only those references who would recommend you highly from firsthand knowledge and with whom you have a good relationship and regular communication

Practice:

•You will go directly to the business community as you research and network •You will schedule appointments and practice communicating about your career and job targets - terrific preparation for actual interviews