Careermemos

Have you heard of that adage that no man is an island? In your professional life, have you ever felt like an island? Or were you always an archipelago adjunct to all other islands? Connecting, establishing contacts, networking – all these will help you in finding a new job if ever you are on the job-hunting path.

Networking towards a new job

How often do we fall into the trap of cutting a few hundred want ad clippings from the Sunday newspaper when looking for a new job? Or how often do we rely on internet job postings in finding a job that will suit us? Finding a job is a human resource function and as the function entails human resource, there is that ultimately crucial factor: the human side.

Networking is establishing human contacts and connections. Your circle of professional friends and peers within your company and your industry may help you find a new job. No job entails an eight hour shift with no human contact or intervention whatsoever. For whatever it’s worth, you will have made a new connection or two during whatever length of time you spend in a company or industry. Developing that connection to be a lifetime connection will allow you to activate that connection at a future time when you need it, like in finding a job.

Finding that job through your network

Call your friends and peers working with other companies or belonging to different industry sectors. Ask around for job openings and other opportunities like consultancies or part-time engagements. Whether you are hunting for a job in a new geographical area or an old one, chances are there may be contacts established there that you can work on. Check out your professional, personal, and social network. Community groups, church groups, professional associations, social action groups, even your Friday night bridge club may be able to give a word or two about possible job opportunities. They may even be able to put in a kind word or two on your behalf to potential employers that they may have contact with.

Activate those contacts. Look at your band of business cards and old slum books. You may have connections that you have forgotten about and may be worth reviving as they now apply to the job finding situation you are in. Your network will be where you can draw out job leads, even referrals, or other information relative to your finding a job.

Furthering the network

So as early as now in the job search, make sure you have established that network and are able to activate it functionally. Get in touch and get in synch. Every time you talk to someone, a friend or a colleague or a social group member, keep in mind that this person may serve as a reference or a referrer in your job-hunting.

Bring the network relationships to a new level of functionality and empowerment. Seek your network’s assistance when trying to find a job. For all you know, all that time spent in internet hunting may be unnecessary as there are a number of friends ready to take you in. Furthering your network will work to your advantage when finding a job today or tomorrow.