HOW TO DO NETWORKING and WHY TO START WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE A JOB

By: Margaret Buj

All books about career strategies and job hunting list networking as the first place to start in looking for employment. It is more important than an excellent resume or polished interviewing skills. In fact, thanks to networking, you may land a job without the need of ever sending your resume out or going through the difficult and stressful job interview process.

It is common knowledge that some job openings are filled before they become formally open to the public, or make their way to recruiting companies and job boards. This is because the manager may know just the perfect person for the job as soon as there is a need for a new person to join the team.

You will greatly improve your chances of finding employment by expanding your network now, even if you are currently employed, or you still have some time before graduating from college. Networking often takes time. Building a wide web of connections does not happen overnight, so you better start working on it now.
Here are a few ways of expanding your network and get ahead of your competition:

1. Be a part of a professional group/organization. Joining a group of professionals will not only give you a chance to mingle with other specialists in your field, it will also give you a chance to learn new techniques and technologies and keep up with what is going on in your professional environment. However, just joining is not going to make a real difference – you have to participate actively in meetings, forums and boards, let yourself be seen and known. Some of the groups may only exist online and some may take a bit more of your time with occasional gatherings.

2. Share your knowledge and keep on learning. If you are a well renowned specialist you may consider giving classes in your chosen subject, either in a college or as a free community service. On the other hand, if you think your skills are lacking, it is advisable to take courses and seminars that will give you the opportunity to expand both your knowledge and your network when you get to know professionals and other students in your class.

3. Volunteer. It does not have to be related to your precise field. You can volunteer in a church or participate in charity events. Many professionals feel they need to give back to the community and you may be surprised at the variety of people you will meet.

4. Keep business cards. All contacts may be useful. Keep business cards you receive during meetings and seminars. Link a card to a face by making a short note on the back on the card: description of a person, their peculiar manner or some other useful tip that will make you remember them better.
And above all:

5. Be active. Simply going to a seminar or keeping a business card is not going to be enough. Keep in touch with people you meet, make them remember you. Your network is not necessarily going to be work related, socialize with other groups of interest, and expand your own possibilities. You may reach out to other professions or people within your field who work or live abroad. Be enthusiastic, positive and always move forward.

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Margaret Buj joined the No Shortage of Work Social Network soon after its creation. I got a chance to meet this remarkable woman at an NSoW dinner in London.

Through NSoW, she met another member, Andy Lagomarsino, one of the founders of New Jersey Newsroom, an on-line newspaper started by 40 laid-off journalists. Their story is EXACTLY what NSoW is all about – read about them HERE.

Mararet now writes a regular column for them.