Networking For Jobs

Networking for jobs is one of the most important business and career development skills anyone can learn. It's important for everyone and is particularly effective for finding job vacancies, especially management jobs. When done in the right way, it can open up all sorts of new business opportunities and make new contacts who can help you in the future. Yet, even to a seasoned professional, heeding this valuable career advice, it can seem intimidating or positively scary some of the time.

I've added some information at the bottom of this page about the importance of networking for jobs to older and more mature workers, especially those over 50 who are struggling to get back to work after redundancy.

I am sure that you will agree that the term "networking" is one of the most clichéd and misunderstood words in our vocabulary; the dictionary defines networking as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions."

Strangely it doesn't define the rationale of networking.

If we view networking for jobs as the process of developing and maintaining quality relationships that are mutually advantageous, it won't take long to realize that networking is an important business and career development process. The continual building of relationships that can last a lifetime is what makes networking an essential part of our own development.

If you're looking for management jobs, where the value of contacts is greatest, you must learn the essentials of networking for jobs. This is why we do need to learn some active networking skills and keep our contacts in touch with us regularly.

An alternative view on networking for jobs is called Informational Interviewing - follow the link to find out more.

Because, when we lose touch with someone, then only call on them when we are in need, we create a negative networking situation and your contact no longer wants to talk to you. The person at the receiving end perceives the call as "he can't be bothered to keep in touch, till he wants something, so why should I respond now?"

Therefore, positive networking needs to become a way of life. As the old saying goes "It's not what you know but who you know." This is truer than ever in today's competitive world.

However, networking for jobs is not something that comes easily to everyone. You may be essentially a shy person, possibly feel you don't have the wherewithal, or as most of us are today, just plain busy. More than likely, you may feel you simply don't have the time to network. This is just an excuse!

Whenever you meet someone new, you have the opportunity to network and learn new things thus enriching your own existence. The truth then is: we really don't have time NOT to network.

Networking can be done any place, any time. As you learn about the other person you are networking with and how you can help them, they learn about you and how they can help you. This reciprocal effect is a direct result of you becoming interesting because you are showing interest. Help others connect to the people you know can help them, keep your promises and stay in touch.

You will frequently have opportunities to meet new people whom you can add to your list of contacts. Once you have established a connection, identify the people who can help you, stay connected, and keep your network growing. Identify the organizations and activities where people you want to know gather, get involved and become known. The business opportunities or traditional management jobs that come your way from networking will prove that overcoming your unease was worthwhile.

Networking does not have to be difficult; in fact it can be quite fun, but bear in mind that you will need to continually work at it. Then, before you know it, you will have a strong network behind you whenever you need to call upon it.

And you will need to call on it sometime. So my career advice to you is this: GET NETWORKING!

Peter Fisher is the expert Author and Publisher of www.Your-Career-Change.com He coaches and writes for people undergoing career change. Follow the link for masses of Networking for Jobs resources you can tap into anytime.

But you will also need to understand the networking rules.

If you are over 50 and looking for a new job, you may well think that everybody is against you and that there are no suitable jobs for mature workers like you.

Networking is probably the most important activity in your job search campaign. I've included more information that I think may help to throw some light on what older and more mature workers, people who are over 50, can actually do to help themselves get back to work - even if you already took early retirement. I've added some links to help you find jobs about half way down the page and then there are more links to help you develop your job search skills at the bottom of the page, so go over there now.

Also visit Employment Search for more networking and job search tips. Plus to really make a success of networking read how you can use my Interview Body Language Tips.

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