How networking can be used for getting a job?


Three-quarters of all job openings are filled by networking! For every one job that is filled by advertising in the help wanted ads or by using employment agencies, three are filled through networking. This is also one of the easiest ways to get a job. Many jobs end up being filled before the position is advertised to the public.

You know the old saying, "It's not what you know, it is who you know"? When it comes to networking, this is key. Hiring managers often prefer to hire a person with whom they have had a previous positive experience.

How do you get involved with networking?

You are already a part of several networks. For example, if you are a student, you know teachers, coaches, counselors, and relatives of other students. Whether you are a student or an adult, you have friends, neighbors, relatives, and other people that you come into contact with on a regular basis. Your doctor, dentist, barber, hairdresser, owners of businesses that you frequent, and people you know from sports, clubs, religious groups, 
volunteer activities, etc., are all part of your network.

Taking advantage of all of the contacts that you have -- people who know you and your abilities -- is what networking is all about. Use these people as sources of help or information. Sometimes your contacts are potential employers; in other cases, they can refer you to prospective employers.
When you let these people know that you are seeking a job, make sure that you are both polite and direct, Be confident and take the initiative. Use the following sample networking contact to help you get started.

Sample Networking Contact

  1. Create a reference card to give to your networking friends that contains a summary of your skills. Print it out on the computer or use 3-by-5-inch cards.
  2. Call one of your networking friends.
  3. Ask him or her if he or she can help you with thinking of some contacts for employment.
  4. Describe what type of job you are looking for.
  5. Ask if he or she has heard of any job openings or know a contact that you could call.
  6. Get the name and telephone number of the contact, if possible.
  7. Ask how long they have known the contact and maybe a little about him or her.
  8. See if you can get a recommendation from your networking friend or whether he or she would be willing to give the contact a call.
  9. Ask if your networking friend can give a copy of your resume to the contact and perhaps set up an interview for you.
  10. Thank your networking friend.
  11. Follow up to let him or her know how you did in the job search.

Contacting Employers Directly

Contacting employers directly allows you to pinpoint specific businesses and get your letter and resume into the hands of the right person. For example, if you want to work for a specific hotel, why not write them a letter asking for an interview? If you decide you want to work for a hotel, but don't have a specific one in mind, then put together a list of hotels and send them all letters asking for interviews.
You can check the yellow pages in the phone book for addresses of businesses in your area or go online to www.411.com. Your local library, Better Business Bureau, and Chamber of Commerce are good resources.
If you direct your letter to the actual hiring manager in charge of the department where you want to work, you have a better chance of getting an interview. To get the hiring manager's name, call the business and follow a script such as the one below.
  1. Call the business and introduce yourself.
  2. Say that you would like to send some information to the manager of the department that you are interested in.
  3. Ask for the name of the manager so that you can direct it to his or her attention, and check to get the correct spelling and title.
  4. Ask if there is a special mailing address such as a P.O. box.
  5. Make sure to thank the receptionist or person you're speaking to.
Of course, don't just drop in! Most businesses don't like to see people without an appointment. You don't want to start off on the wrong foot. When you have the name of the hiring manager, address your letter to him or her personally. Send your letter and resume. Follow up a few days after your letter and resume arrive with a phone call to the manager and ask for an interview. We will discuss the follow up interview in the next section.

Follow up Phone Call

Now that you have sent a letter and resume to the hiring manager, your very important next step is to telephone the manager. One tip is to call before 10 a.m. since managers may attend meetings after that time. If the manager is unavailable, ask when is a good time to call back. Study the script below before you call and put everything your own words, so that you feel comfortable. Practice before you make the phone call to build up your confidence.
  1. Ask for the manager and introduce yourself.
  2. Say something to get things on a friendly note, such as "How are you doing this morning?"
  3. Mention that earlier this week you sent a letter with your resume, and you are following up to see if he or she received it.
  4. Let the manager know that you are hoping to schedule an appointment to learn about career opportunities with their company.
  5. Ask for an interview to discuss those opportunities with the manager, even if they are not hiring at this time.
  6. Let the manager know that you want to be considered for a position with their company when they are hiring, but don't be too pushy and don't beg.
  7. Thank the manager for his or her time, and if he or she is going to be meeting with you, confirm the date and time. Keep your conversation brief since managers are busy people

37 comments:

  1. I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This article posted at this website is
    genuinely good.
    Also visit my weblog :: federal loan

    ReplyDelete
  2. What's up everyone, it's my first pay a quick visit at this web page,
    and post is actually fruitful for me, keep up posting these
    types of posts.
    Also visit my weblog : big muscle in the world

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't even know the way I stopped up here, however I believed this submit was once good. I don't
    understand who you are but definitely you're going to a famous blogger in case you aren't already.
    Cheers!
    My web-site work at home bbb approved

    ReplyDelete
  4. Attractive section of cоntent. I just stumbled upon youг ωebsitе and in aсcеssion сaρital to аѕseгt
    thаt I аcquiгe in fact enjoyеd account youг blog
    posts. Any way I will be ѕubscribing to
    youг аugment and even I achievement you acceѕs cоnsistently rapidly.
    My blog post : adrenal gland function

    ReplyDelete
  5. truly fabulous photographs. official website
    My weblog ; payday loans uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do уou hаvе a spam issuе on this website; I also am а
    blоgger, and I ωaѕ wanting
    to know your situation; we hаvе develoρed
    some nice practіces and we are looking tο swap mеthoԁs with otheг folks,
    be suге to shoot me аn e-mаil if interested.
    My web-site importance of entrepreneurship in the philippines

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very nice depth apply today
    Look into my web-site : wageday advance today

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.
    I am attempting to find things to enhance my site!
    I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!

    !
    Here is my weblog ; imparavel

    ReplyDelete
  9. Iсh habe online mehr als ԁгei Stunden gesuгft
    ,abеr keinen Eintraege gefunԁen, dіe sο κlaѕѕe wiе
    deine waгen. Das ist echt ѕuρer fuer mіch!
    Feel free to surf my homepage Samp server

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think the admin of this site is actually working
    hard in favor of his website, as here every stuff is quality based stuff.
    Look at my webpage ; buy twitter followers cheap

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everything іѕ verу open with a νery cleаr ԁеscrіptiοn of the iѕsues.
    It wаѕ dеfinitely informatіve.
    Your websіte iѕ extгemely helpful. Thankѕ for shаring!
    Take a look at my page - teknaf

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thiѕ desіgn iѕ steller! You cеrtaіnly knoω how to kеep a rеaԁer еnteгtained.
    Between your wit and your ѵіdeoѕ, I waѕ almοst moved to start my own blog (wеll, аlmoѕt.
    ..HaΗа!) Fantastiс job. I гeally
    enjoyed what you haԁ to ѕay, аnԁ moгe
    than thаt, hoω уou ρresented іt.

    Τoo cool!
    Feel free to surf my homepage - http://www.aka-accounting.com/how-much-do-economists-make

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ridiculous story there. What happened after? Take care!
    Here is my web site : Readreviewsnow.Com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very
    fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate
    link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
    Also visit my website ; cloud

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amazing blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
    I'm planning to start my own site soon but I'm
    a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free
    platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option?
    There are so many options out there that I'm totally confused .. Any recommendations? Cheers!
    Also visit my blog post : business and finance templates

    ReplyDelete
  16. Had he selected the top ranked keyword, his target audience would have averaged 235,000 searches per month.
    For the most effective SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
    software package to get worthy in the identify, you may want to see the keyword targeted
    visitors estimates from the search engines you might be targeting, as
    well as the volume of level of competition for that expression.
    It's like that in SEO, with the risk of injury or worse being to your bottom line profits.
    Here is my weblog - review of seomoz pro

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was
    super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I had written and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.

    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for beginner blog writers? I'd genuinely appreciate it.
    my web site :: forex

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hola! I've been reading your site for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the good job!
    My webpage - forex

    ReplyDelete
  19. Keep on working, great job!
    Review my blog fast faxless payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm curious to find out what blog system you're working with?
    I'm having some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?
    My webpage : Payday loan Advance

    ReplyDelete
  21. I believe this is one of the most important info for me. And
    i am happy reading your article. However should observation on some general issues, The site taste is perfect, the articles is truly
    excellent : D. Good process, cheers
    Feel free to surf my blog ; cash advance credit card

    ReplyDelete
  22. Asking questions are really good thing if you are not understanding something totally, but this post offers pleasant understanding yet.
    Feel free to surf my page banks that offer debt consolidation loans

    ReplyDelete
  23. For most up-to-date information you have to pay a visit world-wide-web and on internet
    I found this site as a most excellent web page for latest updates.
    Here is my web-site fast cash advance loans

    ReplyDelete
  24. I do not know if it's just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your website. It seems like some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a issue with my browser because I've had this happen before.
    Appreciate it
    My webpage - payday loan direct lender no teletrack

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very rapidly this web site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building people, due to it's fastidious articles or reviews
    Feel free to surf my web page - cash payday advance

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that
    it's really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
    My page :: payday loans no fees

    ReplyDelete
  27. May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover a person that
    actually understands what they're discussing on the web. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story. I can't believe you're not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
    Also see my web site :: colliery

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, wonderful weblog structure! How long have you been running a blog
    for? you made running a blog glance easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, let alone the
    content material!
    Also see my page > forex gold news

    ReplyDelete
  29. Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am
    a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many
    of us have developed some nice procedures and we are
    looking to swap methods with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
    Here is my site : Best Automated Forex Trading Software

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm really inspired with your writing talents as smartly as with the format to your blog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to see a nice weblog like this one today..
    Also visit my web site :: online forex currency trading

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your style is really unique in comparison to other people I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I
    will just bookmark this page.
    Here is my page :: forex trading signals Review

    ReplyDelete
  32. Excellent way of telling, and fastidious article to
    get information regarding my presentation subject, which i
    am going to deliver in college.
    Check out my page - best forex system

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ridiculous quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
    Here is my page ... how to trade gold online

    ReplyDelete
  34. Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
    My web blog ; work at home jobs data entry

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the good work.
    Here is my homepage - free forex software download

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi there everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of knowledge,
    therefore it's good to read this website, and I used to pay a quick visit this webpage every day.
    Have a look at my webpage ; gold market trading

    ReplyDelete

Your Feedback has utmost importance for us, Please spend your few minutes by giving your comments.