Job Networking

You may be surprised to know that a good percentage of happily employed people actually came about their job through networking. This may seem difficult to imagine since many people consider networking to be extremely formal, something along the lines of joining Rotary Clubs and trying to meet other business associates. This simply is not the case, though.

Networking might not come naturally to some job seekers, but learning how to network is pretty easy if you follow a few simple tips:

Socializing

Job seekers can network almost anywhere and even in the most unlikely of places. Of course networking will require getting out and socializing, but it doesn't necessarily require socializing in professional settings. Consider talking to friends, family members, old co-workers or even alumni from a high school, technical school, or college you attended.

This is especially helpful if you keep in contact with former classmates who actually had the same career interests! Because they have similar career interests, it is especially likely that they will also know others in the career field and can offer suggestions for companies that are hiring.

You really don't know when you will find someone that may know of an excellent job opportunity. But in order for them to mention the job to you, it is your responsibility to mention that you are on the search for a new job. Otherwise, job networking won't work!

Keep Your Eyes Open

It is essential to keep your eyes and ears peeled everywhere you go in case you run into someone having a conversation regarding your line of work. This could happen at the grocery store, the gym, while you are pumping gas or even at your child's daycare center.

Part of this theory goes back to socializing, but it is more than that. You should take time to consider who might be at a certain party or event that you might be interested in talking with. Maybe you have heard your child's friend has a father in a certain business. Or maybe your cousin is bringing a new date to the Christmas party. Remember that you will want to be prepared to ask them questions regarding a potential career opportunity.

Be Frank

Don't dance around the issue that you are interested in finding out more about a company or potential job opportunities. Even if you are just meeting the person, it is better to be honest with them. If you are curious as to whether they can help you, simply ask them. Otherwise they may not understand your intentions for approaching them. From here they may either walk away or might take the conversation in a different direction and then you are stuck without knowing!

Stay In Touch

If you end up having a conversation regarding a potential job and someone gives you a business card, contact them. Even if you are afraid the conversation wasn't that fruitful, if they told you to contact them, do so. You really never know what is waiting around the next corner and without following up on a networking conversation, you may lose out on a great opportunity.