Network, Network, Network
If the three most important things in business are Location, Location, Location, the three most important things to remember in job search is Network, Network, Network. Statistics show that 75% of people that land a job will credit networking as the key component.
Many times I hear clients say, "I've been working long hours for such a long time that I haven't had time to schmooze and build a network," or "I don't do anything outside of work, so I don't have a professional network," or "I just don't know anybody that I could ask for a job." Fine. That's not what I would suggest relative to networking.
For starters, unless you live in a cave, you do know people. Even other cave dwellers could net an appropriate lead if that's the environment you reside in!!! Seriously, if you have been living on this planet for any length of time, you have probably connected with people you have worked with, or have lived near, or have attended church with or have gone to dinner with. Children that play sports with your children, generally have parents who have contacts. You might have siblings or parents. It's very likely you have friends that also have a network of contacts. At the professional offices you patronize (doctor, dentist), there is likely a support staff. Think about people you went to school with, people you play sports with, people you volunteer with. Multi-level marketing companies bank on the fact that most people can name 200 people that they know! Even if you can't think of 200 people right off the top of your head, you can leverage the contacts of those you can name. It works like a tree with branches that begets limbs that begets branches that begets other branches. You get the picture.
Now, if you want to BUILD a network in addition to your current one, there are ways to do that. I will tell you that this doesn't work if you think you are going to sit on the couch with bunny skippers on....even if you have your computer on your lap. OK, you can start there, but you have got to get out there -- as they say. Meet and greet your public....those folks that are going to help you get your name out.
Often the school you graduated from will have a career office with alumni that is willing to network with other alumni. Most local papers have a business section that lists professional events. These are sometimes even listed as "networking events" or things like free talks about a business topic. For heaven's sake, if it's free, what have you got to lose. Check it out. See who you meet. Other events might be a minimal charge to get you in the door. You'll eventually find the type of events that you are comfortable with and that net results. If you find yourself at a wine tasting every week for 10 weeks and never meet an appropriate contact, try something else. There are member organizations and journals for just about every profession. If you aren't a member, this is a good time to join and "network" with like-minded professionals who have a foot in the working world and may know who is hiring. And don't forget social gigs. Maybe you don't like getting dragged to a party, but now is not the time to sit these things out.
Rehearse your elevator speech and go shake some hands and come back with contacts and people to follow up with. You don't need to wear your resume as a billboard. No need to be pushy. Just be friendly and often that means asking others about themselves. Eventually they will ask you about what you do. That's when you give them a brief scripted message about what you are good at doing and that you are currently looking for an opening that utilizes those skills.
If you keep in mind the fact that you are a great catch and others just need to know about you, it will help you concentrate on getting the word out there to your market.
