Networking: Job Search Tactic #1 For Unadvertised Jobs

Networking is the top employment search skill that you should work on. I have proved time and again with my clients that it is the surest way to finding a new job - and whats even better is that so often the jobs you find have never been advertised, so you have little or no competition.

Large scale surveys also show that between 35% and 60% of all job changes occur as a result of informal discussions with personal contacts - networking. Now you can tap into this most powerful employment search technique and find unadvertised jobs to suit you.

This is one of the most important skills you as a job seeker have to develop. In fact it is one of the most important business or career development skills you will ever need to master.

The skill is in two parts: the first part is the regular ongoing networking that you do at meetings, seminars, conferences and social events. The second is more about applied networking i.e. seeking out appropriate contacts to talk to and discover information or further contacts who can assist your job search.

I will show you how to work through the following issues so that you know:

• How and why this will work for you
• Who to contact
• How to make contact and what to say
• How to develop and grow your network

The importance of this skill cannot be stressed enough - you MUST get some practice in now!

Building productive personal relationships that will help you reach your potential is easier than you may think. Always welcome new opportunities to meet new people and don't save your activities for specific situations or places. Making new contacts can be done at any place and any time. Start by learning about the other person you are talking to and this will tell you how you can help them.

To help you, I've written a 29 page, very detailed manual to show you everything you need to learn about effective networking for jobs and how to find hidden jobs.

Secrets of Finding Unadvertised Jobs

Have You Thought How YOU Are Going To Find Your Next Job? Do you know the most effective way of finding the unadvertised or hidden jobs? But do you know how to go about talking with your contacts to find those jobs?

Not really sure?

Most people say the same. They know about networking; they know its an important way to find new unadvertised or hidden jobs, but where do you start?

When you buy this totally original e-book (16 pages in convenient PDF format), which is not like other career books, you will be able to put into practice everything you need to boost your confidence and get networking!

Click the cover to find out more.

This is also where personal marketing and the ability to sell yourself have never been more important.

Meeting People...

Your aim is to meet people who can influence your thinking; people who can offer constructive advice on the type of job or career you are considering.

Networking with known and new contacts creates a unique opportunity to practice your marketing message. It also allows you to get briefed on particular areas of interest and in doing so to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant issues.

When you've decided where you're headed it's so helpful to ask the question "if you were me..."

By meeting people and growing your contact list you have at hand the surest method of getting feedback on your ideas and clarifying your objectives.

But please don't mess up by giving the impression that you expect anything other than advice from your contact. This is the one thing everybody can give freely. If they think you're expecting them to give you a job you've blown your chance.

Oh! and another thing; the meeting is best face to face but don't expect anybody to agree to more than 20 minutes - so only ask for that. If when you're talking they say they're OK for longer then that's fine. But if not leave after 20, you can always go back again.

You can rely on this to be a really powerful tool in your employment search, but take care when you plan your meeting and prepare a personal meetings agenda in advance so you know what you want to achieve.

Now for something this powerful you'd expect there to be certain things you must or must not do wouldn't you?

Of course there are, but to make it easy for you just follow these rules and you'll find it all comes together very quickly.

So get cracking, if this is going to work, you have to start building your list.

You should aim for at least two hundred names - you won't need to talk to them all, but it makes sure you haven't forgotten anyone!

I've put together a mnemonic to help you; this is how I build my network and for what its worth I teach it because some of my students have found it hard to get started.

You will find of course that your most powerful friend when you start is the telephone, but check also for the best ways to find unadvertised jobs and how the Direct Approach is actually 10 times more effective that speculative letter writing.

Go back to the Your Career Change home page now to be sure you are still following the plan you set out with.

Or return to Networking for Jobs for more ideas to help you get under way.

An alternative view on networking for jobs is called Informational Interviewing - follow the link to find out more about how to contact the person with whom you wish to meet either by letter or telephone. Introduce yourself and explain the reason for your contact. If you were referred to this contact by someone else, remember to mention that person’s name at the beginning of the call. Use the following script as a guideline:

“Hello, my name is [name]. I’m currently exploring career options in [industry/role] and was given your details by [name of person who referred you] for the possibility of obtaining further information about this field and how you got started in the industry. I’d love to be able to meet with you briefly and will only take about 20 minutes of your time.”

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Looking for something specific?

An answer to an interview question? A CV or Resume layout? How to start Networking? More free Cover letter examples, or some ideas of your options?

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