Aug

21

Career Networking - The 80% Rule

Posted by Dan

August 21, 2007 |

Yes, it really is true — 80% of job seekers find their positions through networking.  We all know that networking is powerful, yet many of us neglect it not only on a daily basis, but also for months or even years.  Then we find ourselves in the midst of a career transition and feel as if we just don’t know anyone anymore.  As if we were caught up in a time tunnel and thrown out the other side with know one in site.  Ugh… an ugly feeling indeed. 

So, just how can you go about keeping your network humming? 

Get back in touch:  First off, if you’ve ignored your network for a while you will need to re-ignite it.  You don’t want to wait until you need’ something to start this process.  Believe me that’s a bad idea, so start now.  If you’re not a member of LinkedIn then signup — this is a great way to get things rolling again and you’ll be amazed at how many people will join your network.  If you’re already LinkedIn then send out a message to your network — subject:  Checking in after a long hiatus… (you get the idea here — let them know you recognize it’s been a while). 

Stay in touch:  These days it isn’t hard to stay in touch and just a quick email can do wonders.  But, don’t rely on mass’ messages to your network to be the only link you’ve got.  Plan to send one’ email a day to someone within your network.  If you follow that basic idea you’ll touch base with 30 people a month, nearly 100 people per quarter.  Maybe you’ve got more people than that in your network, but hey — how often are they hearing from you now? 

Plan ahead:  Make sure that networking is something on your to do’ list.  Perhaps you’ve got to move something over to do that (i.e., washing the car, mowing the lawn or sleeping in…maybe we’ll skip that one!).  But, be sure that it floats to the top of your list.  You never know when you may send out an email needing to know whether someone knows the person you’ll be interviewing with, or perhaps want some inside scoop on a sales pitch.  Networking is important — just like exercise, you’ve got to do it to stay ahead. 

Fill a need:  Change your mindset around networking — how can you help?  If you think of networking as a tool that you use only when you need’ something then you are missing the most important ingredient — connection.  Make it about how you can fill a need and you’ll be amazed at how many of your own needs are met.  It’s the old adage “you get what you give”.  

There is so much more to say about networking and what a terrific resource it is.  Did you ever see the movie Field of Dreams?  Then you’ve heard “build it and they will come”.  The same goes for networking.  Start now, get onto LinkedIn or Ryze and have some fun watching how many will come your way. 

Posted by Robin Ogden — FiredUP Careers

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