NETWORKING

Networking means making contacts and connections, then putting those connections to work to help you find a job. Done well, networking can be the most effective job search technique. Statistics report that 70 to 85 percent of job seekers will find their next job by networking.

The key here is to be pro-active. Take the initiative to make contacts, share and receive information from your contacts and use that information in ways that will benefit your job objectives.

Be prepared to network at all times and in the most unexpected places (i.e. spouse's company picnic, church bake sale, riding mass transit, waiting in line at the store).

The following five steps will help you define, build and reap maximum benefits from your network.

Step 1 Who is My Network? Develop a list of primary contacts. Begin by listing

           groups or categories of people you already know. Be creative. Here are 
           some ideas:

• Social Clubs (i.e. bowling league)
• Professional Organizations
• Volunteer Organizations
• Former Co-workers
• Your Children's Activities (i.e. Little League, Girl Scouts)
• Professional service workers (i.e. hairdresser/barber, life insurance agent, lawyer, health care provider, dentist)

Step 2  Who's in each of your groups? List the individual names in each group.
            Now you have a place to begin!

Step 3 Who do I call? Go through your list of names and prioritize them. Start
           with whom you are most familiar and comfortable. Practice your 
           networking calls by phoning your friends and/or family first. Then move on
           to the rest of your contacts.

Step 4 What do I say? One of the objectives of the phone call is to let your know
           contacts you are available for work. Other questions you might ask are:

• Do you know of any job opportunities?
• Can I meet with you for an informational interview to learn more
  about your occupation, business or company?
• Can I send you a copy of my resume?
• Do you know anyone that you can refer me to?
• Can I call you from time to time to update you on my progress?

Step 5 Follow-up This person is in your network now. Do not lose touch with
           them. Send them a thank you note or email. Call every few weeks to
           maintain contact.

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INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS:

An informational interview differs from a job interview in that you are the one who is asking questions to gather information about a company, a career field, an industry, etc. You also want to gather information about others who might be able to help you. Informational interviews are an integral part of building a network.

Format for Informational Interviews

Step 1 Initial Contact: Through a cold call, a contact or a referral, identify
           someone who is working in the company, field or industry you are
           interested in. Call this person and ask to meet with them for about 15
           minutes to learn about their career field, industry, etc. If an in-person
           appointment is not possible, an informational interview can be conducted
           over the phone or even by email. 

Step 2 Build Rapport. Dress as you would for a real interview. When you first
           arrive, you want the person to feel comfortable with you. Start by talking
           about your connection with the person who referred you. Assure the person
           that you are not expecting that they have a job for you. You will have told
           them this during your initial contact, but it’s good to say it again. This will
           help the person relax and speak with you openly. Remind the person that
           you only need 15 minutes or so, and try to get a feel for how busy they are.
           Keep this step brief. 

Step 3 Present Purpose/Background. Tell them your reason for requesting help
           from them and give them a summary of your background. Inform them of
           what your objective is in terms of your career or options you are exploring.
           This should only last 1-2 minutes.

Step 4 Ask Questions. The questions you ask depend on your individual purpose
           for the meeting. The most critical part of this process is to LISTEN. After
           all, you are here to gain information from someone who holds a great deal
           of expertise. They should do 75 percent of the talking. It is perfectly
           acceptable—in fact, preferable—that you have your questions written
           down. Try not to take too many notes as it can be distracting; on the other
           hand, you do not want to lose any of the information, either.

Step 5 Ask For Referrals. Getting referrals is a critical part of an informational
           interview. This is how you build your network. Try to work referrals into
           your conversation. For example, if you ask a question and the person does
           not have the information, ask them if they know of someone who might. Or
           simply ask them, "If you were in my place, who would you talk to about
           ____________?" Be sure to ask their permission to use their name when
           contacting that person. 

Step 6 Follow Up. Always write a thank you note. Click here for a sample thank
           you note.

Sample Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview

These questions are deliberately open-ended. This encourages the other person to do most of the talking and helps you LISTEN. You will not ask all of these questions; pick the ones that seem most relevant to your situation. Remember, you asked for 15 minutes.

1. How did you get started in this field?
2. What training do you think would be required for me to enter this field?
3. Do you believe that my stated experience and accomplishments support my objective?
4. At what level of management do you think a background like mine would be most effective?
5. Where would you see my background being most useful in your industry?
6. How much of a demand is there for people in this field?
7. If you were in my position, what specific companies would you investigate?
8. Where is the greatest demand for new talent in your industry?
9. What are the most important qualities you look for when making a hiring decision?
10. What additional training/education do you think I need to break into your field/industry?
11. What salary range could I reasonably expect to make?
12. To further my research, are there any other individuals you know of who could broaden my perspective on my job search?
13. When I contact ________________, may I use your name as a referral?
    

Click here for a list of Professional Organizations (Associations under Learn About Occupations) - internal link – does not give a list – goes back to “find a professional association for your occupation”
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