Even though job search networking is one of the most successful ways to find a new job, it can sound intimidating and sometimes seems a little bit scary. It doesn’t have to be. My father ended up in a conversation on an airplane with someone who was looking for an aeronautical engineering job. My dad happened to be in the same field and ended up assisting the person in getting a new job. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. I’ve been offered jobs on more than one occasion simply because a friend or acquaintance knew my background and skills.
Informal Job Search Networking

Try job search networking, it really does work. At at least 60% - some report even higher statistics - of all jobs are found by networking. Develop contacts - friends, family, neighbors, college alumni, people in associations - anyone who might help generate information and job leads. You can take a direct approach and ask for job leads or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice. Contact everyone you know. You may be surprised by the people they know. Make yourself pick up the phone and call. It helps to assign yourself a quota of calls to be made each day. The more phone calls you make the easier it will become.

Email is a perfectly acceptable way to network as well. Keep your message brief and to the point and be sure to check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

If you are attending a holiday gathering or any other type of party, it is appropriate to mention in casual conversation that you are seeking employment. Accept all the invitations you receive - you never know where or when you might meet someone who can provide job search assistance! My stepson was not only offered a co-op position by one of my friends that he met at a birthday party at our house, he was also remembered a year later when the company was hiring.

Formal Job Search Networking

Formal networking works too - try going to a business social or an association meeting or event. You’ll find that many of the participants have the same goals you do and will be glad to exchange business cards. If you’re shy, volunteer to work at the registration table where you can greet people as they come in or bring a friend to walk around the room with you - there’s security in numbers.

As well as networking the old fashioned way, use the internet to network. Do you belong to email listservs or discussion groups? If so, use them. Visit discussion boards like the Job Search Forum to network with career professionals and other job seekers. Use Vault’s message boards or Wetfeet.com’s industry and company boards to get the inside scoop on career fields and employers that interest you. Or visit one of the other site’s that focus on online job search and career networking. If you belong to a professional association visit its web site for career assistance. Are you a college alumnus? Contact the Career Services office at your alma mater - many universities have online career networks where you can find alumni who will be thrilled to help you with your job search.

Sample Job Search Networking Letter
Not sure what to say? Review our sample job search networking letter to get an idea of how to approach networking contacts.

Sample Student Networking Letter
Sample networking letter to send to set up an informational interview or to obtain career assistance from a college or university contact.

Job Search Networking Tips

Conduct informational interviews with your contacts and ask for referrals for additional meetings
Follow through with referrals, and always thank contacts in writing (email is fine)
Create an inventory of your accomplishments, including your educational background and work history, to keep at hand should a chance encounter become a contact
Make a list of the assets you will bring as a prospective employee
Bring business cards and a pen
Write some notes so you’ll remember the details on who you have just met on the business cards you collect or in a notebook {Buy Direct)
When networking online, keep track of who you’ve emailed and where you have posted so you can follow up
Finally, if you haven’t memorized all your strengths and and strong points write them down - you’ll need to articulate these in your resumes and cover letters well as emphasize them during interviews.

The importance of career networking shouldn’t be discounted when you are in the midst of a job search. In fact, career networking should become a part of your daily work and career-related endeavors. Your career network should be in place for when you need it, both for job searching and for moving along the career ladder. Since you never know when you might need it, it makes sense to have an active career network, even if you don’t need it today.

Career Networking Tips

Who to Include in Your Career Network
Your career network should include anyone who can assist you with a job search or career move. It can include past and present co-workers, bosses, friends with similar interests, colleagues from business associations, alumni from your university, or acquaintances you have met via online networking services. Your network can also include family, neighbors, and anyone who might have a connection that will help.

What Your Career Network Can Do For You
Over 80% of job seekers say that their network has helped with their job search. Networking contacts can help with more than job leads. They can provide referrals to or insider information about companies you might be interested in working for. They can provide information on career fields you might want to explore or what the job market is like on the other side of the country. Your network can give you advice on where to look for jobs or review your resume. The possibilities are endless.

Keep in Touch - Work Your Network
Don’t just contact those who can help when you have just been laid-off from your job or decide you want to look for a new position. Keep in touch with your network regularly - even if it’s just a brief email to say hello and to ask how they are doing. People are more willing to help when they know who you are.

What You Can Do for Your Career Network
Networking shouldn’t be a one way street. If you come across an interesting article or a relevant job listing, share it with your network. The point of having a career network is to have resources who can help, but, you should reciprocate, whenever you can.

Keep Track of Your Network
Keep track of your personal career network somewhere. Whether it’s electronically or on paper, make sure you know who is who, where they work, and how to get in touch.

Online Career Networking
Online job searching networking does work. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and a variety of other online networking websites can help you get in touch with other networkers at specific companies, with college affiliations or in a certain geographic area. In addition, if you’re a college graduate, your institute may have an alumni career network you can access.

When networking with people you don’t know, make sure that you know what you want. Are you looking for company information? Do you want to know about job opportunities? Be specific in what you ask for.

Networking Events
Networking in person works too. If you belong to a professional association, attend a meeting or a mixer. You’ll find that many of the participants have the same goals you do and will be glad to exchange business cards. If your college alma mater holds alumni networking events (many schools hold them at locations across the country) be sure to attend.

Career Networking Examples
Here are few examples of how career networking can help:

Susan noticed a help-wanted ad for a job at a local veterinary clinic. She called a friend who happened to use that vet. Her friend called the vet and recommended Susan. Susan got an interview and got the job. The vet was glad to hire someone who came highly recommended by a good client.
John was interested in pursuing a career in medicine. He mentioned his interest to a family friend who happened to be a doctor. The doctor arranged for John to spend a day shadowing him at the hospital and provided an excellent recommendation for medical school.
Angela was interested in changing careers and moving from public relations to publishing. Even though she graduated more than a few years ago, she tapped her college career network and came up with a contact at a top New York publishing firm. In addition to being sent new job postings, her resume was hand-delivered to Human Resources when she found a position she wanted to apply for.
In casual conversation at the orthdontist’s office, Jeannie, the assistant, just happened to mention to a patient’s mom that she was interested in horses and in a part-time job working with them. The mom had horses and a bunch of contacts. Jeannie had a part-time job working on a local horse farm by the end of the week!.
Career Networking Works!
As you can see, career networking really does work and it’s importance to have a viable network in place throughout your career and to use your network to your advantage when job searching or exploring career options.

Even if you’re not looking for a job right now, career networking should be a part of your daily, or at least weekly, routine. You never know when you might find yourself in need of a new job. I know more people, myself included at one point in my career, who have unexpectedly lost their job without notice. If you have a network in place and contacts you keep in touch with, it will be much easier to get started on a job search than if you’re starting from scratch.

Stay in Touch

It doesn’t take long to send an email or a LinkedIn or Facebook message just to say hello, even if you don’t see your contacts very often - or at all. I just had lunch with someone I worked for years ago and I just connected on LinkedIn with former colleagues I hadn’t heard from in quite a while. It was good to touch base, both to find out what was new in their lives and careers, and, just in case, I need references or help in the future.

Connect In-Person

If you can, meeting those people you’ve only known online is helpful, too. That personal connection becomes even strong when you can match a personality with a name. When I travel, I try to find time for a cup of coffee or lunch with people I’ve only met via email or the phone.

As an example of how valuable networking can be, a recent graduate I know just got a job offer from someone she had networked with at a college alumni event several months ago. She had stayed in touch and the contact remembered her when a job became available at his employer.

Build Your Network
Taking the time to build, and maintain, your network, is well worth the effort (which may be minimal). Those connections you make today, can help you move along the career ladder, tomorrow.

Wear a solid color conservative suit with a coordinated shirt or blouse
Wear moderate shoes
Make sure your hair is well groomed and neat
Don’t overdo the perfume, makeup, cologne or after shave
Limit your jewelry
Make sure to try on your outfit BEFORE the day of the interview
Tips:
Your clothes are your image, check the mirror and see what others see
It is better to be overdressed than underdressed

You have just landed an interview for a seemingly wonderful job! Now what? Successful interviewing will be essential in order for you to lock in an offer. Here are some tips and strategies for effective interviewing from preparation through follow up.
Company Research

Research should always be your first step. Gathering background information on employers is a crucial element in successful interview preparation. You will need to be prepared to answer the questions “What do your know about our company”? and “Why do you want to work here?” Knowing as much as possible about the company’s past performance and future plans can make your interview more interactive and could be just the leg up you need in a competitive job market. Before the interview review the company’s web site and don’t be afraid to contact your prospective employer to request details on the position you are interviewing for or to ask for company literature. Google the company to see what other information is available online.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect (or at least leads to improvement). Practice with a friend and record or videotape your responses so you can replay the interview and see how well you did. Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions. Doing so will help you analyze your background and qualifications for the position.

Behavioral Interviews

Behavior based interviewing is becoming more common. It is based on the premise that a candidates past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Rather than the typical interview questions on your background and experience, you will you need to be prepared to provide detailed responses including specific examples of your work experiences.

The best way to prepare is to think of examples where you have successfully used the skills you’ve acquired. Take the time to compile a list of responses to both types of questions and to itemize your skills, values, and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize what you can do to benefit the company rather than just what you are interested in. Also prepare a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Remember, you aren’t simply trying to get the job - you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.

Prepare For the Interview

It is very important to be on time for the interview. On time means ten to fifteen minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going. Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview. If your not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Remember to bring an extra copy of your resume and a list of references.

Stay Calm

During the interview try to remain as calm as possible. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what’s been asked and remember that it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to frame your responses so you can be sure too fully answer the question.

End the interview with a thank you to the interviewer and reiterate your interest in the position. Then follow-up with a personal Thank You note restating your interest.

Successful interviewing is essential to getting a job offer. Here are tips and strategies for effective interviewing from preparation through follow up.

Job interviewing never seems to get any easier - even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don’t know. Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparation which help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews.

Practice

Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical job interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy.

Prepare

Prepare a response so you are ready for the question “What do you know about our company. Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the job interview. If you’re not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready

Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On time

Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.

Stay Calm

During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Show What Your Know

Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for.

Follow Up

Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank you note.