Networking... What's the Big Deal?

By Megan Elliott

A buzzword you may have heard during your job search is “networking,” but what does that word mean? What does networking have to do with a job search? Well, everything, if you do it right.

Networking is simply something that you do on a regular basis, talking to your friends and family. A helpful suggestion is to write down everyone you know. Family members, friends, friends of friends, coworkers from previous jobs, and even casual acquaintances are part of your network. Each person in that network can connect you with people in their network. If you write down everyone you know, and call them to ask for their support while you’re looking for a job, and suggestions of people they know who may have a good lead, you potentially have thousands of job leads in no time!

Before you start calling and e-mailing everyone in your network, however, it’s best to have a plan in mind as to how you’re going to approach your network. Develop your plan by asking yourself questions and preparing a statement that answers all of them.

1.       Who will you be talking to?

2.       How would they know you?

3.       What specific jobs are you looking for?

4.       What are your best skills within those types of jobs?

5.       How can you be best contacted?

A good answering service response to these questions would be, “Hello Mr. Evan Clark! My friend Tripp Carter told me to call you today. I’m Megan Elliott, and I’m looking for a job as an administrative assistant within your company. I have excellent phone skills, and I learn filing systems quickly.  If you would like more information, please call me at (843) 519-1319.”

If you’ve been lucky enough to get the person you’re trying to reach on the phone, make sure you keep the conversation flowing. Ask questions, wait for appropriate responses, go into more detail about your skills, and make sure you follow their directions when they ask for you to send in your resume or cover letter.

In-person networking can be more intimidating, but it’s also been shown to be more rewarding. Person-to-person contact allows for eye contact, which is known to increase a feeling of trust among the participants in the conversation.

E-mailing someone can be a little tricky. If they don’t know you, the e-mail can be sent straight to the trash bin, without the person you wanted to read it ever realizing that you sent it. If they do know you, it can be ignored until they have the time to respond to you. One advantage to e-mailing someone is that there is no limit to the number of words you can use, but a good rule of thumb is to keep it to a paragraph or two of quality information that answers the same questions as listed above.

Above all else, remember that networking is all about making and maintaining relationships with people who have similar interests or desires as you. If someone tells you they don’t know of anyone hiring, don’t give up! As the old saying goes, “As one door closes, another one opens.” Keep looking for those open doors. You never know what may walk through them!

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