Networking - How you will find your next job

Hi -

I thought my first blog should be about what is going to help you the most - networking. It truly is how you are going to find your next job.

Just think about how most people look for a job... they sit at home on their computer and look at internet job sites. Maybe read the paper. It really is an easy way to see what is out there and who is hiring. You can apply to every job on the internet with just a click of a button. The only problem is that EVERYONE is job searching that way. So when you apply for a job that you think fits you perfectly, you are applying with well over 200 of your best friends. Maybe 500 if the job pays well. And then the employers have to weed through all of the applications. Not very productive for them.

The way that employers would prefer to hire is to:
1. Hire / promote from within
2. Get a recommendation from a good worker
3. Advertise in the paper or on the internet

When an employer hires a new employee, it is kind of a crapshoot. The employer is hoping that the new employee was truthful on their application/resume and in the interview. Everyone has worked with a coworker from hell. Employers don't want to make a mistake and hire this person. That is why they would like to either hire from within (they know exactly what they are getting) or hire someone who has been referred to them. (If you refer your brother-in-law, he better do a good job or that will reflect on you.)

Another thing, statistics say that over 75% of jobs are never advertised. Let me repeat that - 75% of all jobs are NEVER advertised.

So how do you find these job? Networking.

What is Networking? It sounds a little intimiating. Relax, you network all the time. You just don't label it like that. What do you do when you need a babysitter, or want to try out a new restaurant, or need to get your car fixed and your mechanic is on vacation? You ask your friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. THAT is networking.

Networking for a job is no different. Ask your friends, relatives, neighbors, etc if they know of any job openings. Two of my sons just graduated and are looking for jobs. So I ask everyone if they know of openings. I also keep my ears open to see what business in their career areas are doing well, expanding, etc.

Besides friends, relatives and neighbors, other good networking sources are people that work with people. Such as a hairdresser/barber, mechanic, bartender, mailman, UPS man, daycare provider. You get the idea. Someone who talks to people and might hear of a business being especially busy or of someone who is leaving a job for one reason or another. Or come to the Workforce Center and pick our brains.

Shamelessly name drop. If you hear of an opening from someone, ask if you can mention their name when applying. And then do it. Remember that employers like to hire people that were referred to them. And some employers won't hire you if you don't know someone who works there already.

Another tip is to hand out your resume to people. My brother was looking for a job a few years back. I know that he is a computer programmer, but not exactly what he does. When I got his resume I was able to zero in on jobs that needed his skills and experience. But I couldn't have done that without his resume. Don't assume that everyone knows what type of job you are looking for. There are different software programs, tools, equipment, etc that you have used versus the next person.

One more tip - go to networking groups. Statistics show that people who attend a networking group find a job faster that those that don't!! In Faribault, we have Job Club Monday at 10 am at South Central College. In Owatonna, the Job Club is on Tuesdays at the Workforce Center. One job seeker meets with his old co-workers at a Perkins and they share info. There are different associations that have networking groups. I heard the PMI association has a group that meets monthly in the south metro.

I just checked and the unemployment rate in this area is around 9-10% for April. That means that if you are around 100 people, 9 or 10 of them are not working. So being unemployed is not that special anymore. Too many people are doing it. There is no stigma. Get out there and network!!