job hunt networking strategies

Searching for employment isn't about scanning the want adverts or emailing countless CVs. Also

it's not about asking your friends and family if they've heard anything about job openings. It should

be all of those things - and a whole lot more. Bear in mind - searching for a job is actually a full

time job.

Preparation

First things first, don't begin your job hunt right until you are prepared for the job. Choose your

objective - the sort of career you would like. This may sound apparent, but a large number of so-

called job seekers begin hunting before they have got a solid idea of what they really want. Be

honest with yourself. What do you like? What do you dislike? What talents do you possess? You

have to answer those questions well before you start submitting your curriculum vitae to job sites,

such as nineoclock.co.uk.

Skills

You'd like a position that matches your likes, skills and credentials. Carry out an honest self-

assessment, get specialist help if you want, and you'll have a chance of realizing which kind of

position you should be searching for. Next, plan your CV. Consider using a qualified resume-

preparation company.

Network System

Now you're ready for the fun part, networking, networking plus more networking. Your intention at

this point will not be to obtain employment. If you happen to stumble into an employment offer,

then good for you! But, back to reality, your mission is to expand your very own circle of helpers

who will be supporting you when you look for employment. You want to grow your community as

big as you can. Therefore, sit down and do a list of absolutely everyone you know, every person

you can think about, good friends, family members, classmates from highschool and beyond,

people you know slightly who're working in the industry you've decided upon (see Preparation,

above). Make the list as long as it is possible to. Include acquaintances, friends of friends, pretty

much everyone you can think of.

Start making contact with individuals on your list. Remember, you are not asking anyone for a job

at this stage. You're asking who could possibly be aware of employment opportunities in your

targeted field. See them face to face as much as possible. Give away your CV. Anytime you

speak with someone, try to obtain no less than three new contacts. Etc. This way, your

networking list expands, you understand ever more with regards to your chosen field and you

develop into a more smart job seeker. You'll understand more about trends within your industry

and which companies are doing a lot better than others.

Follow each networking appointment or chat with a professional and polite thank you note, email

or perhaps sms text message, whichever is good for the man or woman you connected with. This

kind of little acts of courtesy indicate a great deal to people that are going to the trouble of

supporting you. Count on me, they will keep that in mind.

Sooner or later when you are treating this hard work as being a full-time job you will start to have

networking group meetings with field people that happen to be at a level to employ you or refer

you to human resources. Warning! Do not ask these people for jobs in Manchester either. You are

only asking for information. This minimizes the tension on the other individual, however, still, he /

she will be assessing you and may turn the networking conference into an interview.

Once your networking generates certain leads that suit your interests, skills as well as

qualifications, go on and put in a request. It's likely that you will be making a request well before

the businesses actually advertise opportunities!

Yet one more Point

As you go along in your social networking, be sure you keep your best helpers notified. If

somebody's reference happens to be effective, let your reference or resource know. The men and

women in your community are all supporting you, some more, some less, so it seems logical to

keep them in the loop. When you obtain your employment, let everyone know!