Career Networking

Who you know can make a difference in your job search. Making a list of all those who may be of assistance in your job search is a good first step. You might have started establishing a network of contacts when you were exploring possible careers. If so, now is a good time to revisit and expand on this list.

You should not limit your network to just those most closely connected to your field or career of choice. Be sure to include those who know and respect you and who may be willing to help in other ways. It is important that you share your job search efforts and goals with others because they may refer you to opportunities they know about. Some studies indicate that 3/4 of all jobs are never posted and that nearly 1/3 of all new hires are referred by current employees. This is why networking is a key component in the job search process.

For information about how to develop and utilize a network, click here.