Networking for Job Opportunities

• Networking is developing relationships with people to increase job opportunities by finding someone with relevant job leads.

Benefits of Networking

• Seeking career advice and making contacts aware of your qualifications.
• Accessing jobs not available through traditional channels.
• Gaining insider information about the industry, trends, and hiring methods.
• Obtaining information about specific employers.
• Promoting oneself and making a positive impression.
• Practicing communication and interviewing skills.
• Seeking job leads and referrals.

Two-Tiered Network

• Personal support system: Inner circle for encouragement and motivation.
• Job search network: People who offer advice, job leads, and referrals.

Personal Support System

• Consists of family, friends, acquaintances from school, work, and social circles.
• Includes former/current employers, career services staff, instructors, and counselors.
• Provides motivation, assistance with job search documents, interview practice, and shares similar experiences.

Job Search Network

• A good contact provides career advice and information on job openings.
• Contacts introduce you to others, increasing your chances of finding good job prospects.

Networking Strategies

• Create a network list and contact people to expand job search reach.
• Initiate conversations about your job search.
• Attend job fairs for employer connections.
• Participate in professional groups for career information and job leads.
• Join/start a job club to share experiences and advice.
• Follow networking etiquette for effective communication.
• Identify people who can act as references to vouch for qualifications.
• Networking correspondence should be professional.

Career Information Survey

• A formal networking method where a job seeker interviews a contact about their job/career.
• The job seeker prepares questions and behaves as if it were a real job interview.
• The goal is to develop contacts and learn about a job/career.

Benefits of Career Information Survey

• Practice communication skills by researching and networking in the business community.
• Gain information about job scope and hiring procedures.
• Gain a competitive edge over other applicants.
• Emphasize research/assignment purposes, rather than explicitly seeking a job.

Career Network Strategy for Finding Job Openings

• Most jobs (70-85%) are found through networking.
• A higher quality network increases the chances of finding a great job match.

Steps for Career Network Strategy

• Define the network by identifying who you and your contacts know.
• Evaluate the quality and size of network connections.
• High-quality connections are in your field, in higher positions, and know you well.

Career Network Meeting

• A meeting to discuss career-related topics.
• The aim is to learn about the industry and improve job search skills.
• Don't explicitly ask for a job.

Requesting a Career Network Meeting

• Identify what the person can offer in the job search.
• Select 2-3 questions/topics to guide the discussion.
• Request the meeting via email, phone, social media, or in person.

Preparing for a Career Network Meeting

• Dress professionally, plan the trip, and bring copies of your resume and a question list.
• Be ready to pay for your own expenses.
• Discuss job search efforts positively.
• Research the person and their company.
• Prepare questions and include a Personal Brand Statement.

Conducting the Career Network Meeting

• Introduce yourself, thank the person, and be courteous.
• Reiterate the meeting's goal and briefly discuss job search goals.
• Listen for employer needs and industry-specific language.
• Take notes on job leads and ask if you can mention their name when applying.
• Respect time limits and set an alarm to signal the end.

Following Up After the Meeting

• Fulfill any agreements made during the meeting immediately.
• Send a thank-you note/email within one day.

Cold Leads Strategy for Finding Jobs

• Apply directly using the Cold Leads Strategy while waiting for network connections.

Sources for Cold Leads

• Online job sites provide job postings with requirements.
• Employer websites list available jobs and accept applications.
• Government job information sites link to job postings.
• Newspaper classified ads have help wanted notices.
• College career centers provide services and job postings.
• Private employment agencies help find jobs with specific employers

Evaluating Job Openings

• Sort through job postings to find the best ones to focus on.

Job Posting Categories

• Stretch job: A "dream job" that is hard to get.
• Job target: Ideal job for current qualifications and interests.
• Contingency job: A backup plan, easy to get but not the first choice.

Determining the Best Match

• Compare jobs that are a good match to your job target.
• List the most important job aspects.
• Review priorities if ratings don’t match your "gut feeling."

Making the Best Match a High Priority

• A job posting that feels like a best match increases the likelihood that the employer will see the fit as well.
• Your resume and brand will align well, increasing response likelihood.

Networking involves building relationships to discover job opportunities. It includes seeking career advice and accessing unlisted jobs. A two-tiered network includes a personal support system and a job search network.