Job Networking

	Two Power Networking Tips
	Get the most out of your network
	The value of networking
	How to find & work for recruiter

Two Power Networking Tips

By Kevin Donlin, Guaranteed Resumes

Here are two powerful ways to network your way to a new position -- job fairs and job clubs. You'll see advertisements for job fairs in almost every Sunday paper. They're often held at local hotels or convention centers. Even if you don't see an ad for a job you seek, if an employer you'd like to work for will be at a job fair, go there with your résumé and start meeting people. Chat with potential employers to discuss what you'd like to be doing for them -- they might offer to create a position just for you to take advantage of your skills. Or at least agree to let you interview. You'll never know what good things might happen unless you go and find out! In addition to meeting employers, try to exchange business cards with at least five other job seekers. Why? They might be leaving a company that's looking for someone just like you. At the very least, you'll be practicing your networking skills, which can help you in a job club. Job clubs -- what are they and how can they help you? Here's the inside scoop. Because the vast majority of jobs are filled through personal contacts, a job club can be very effective in your job search. And you'll find them all around you. Contact your local library, church, community groups and state employment agency for help in contacting one or more that suit your needs. If your city publishes a free employment weekly newspaper, be sure to check the announcements section to find job clubs. You may also find them listed in the phone book. In a good job club, you'll meet regularly with 10-30 other people to share leads, provide support and practice such skills as interviewing and negotiating for salary. Job clubs are often free, so don't worry about high membership costs. I highly recommend you consider adding job fairs and job clubs to your arsenal of job search weapons. Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back.

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Get the Most Out of Your Network

By Kevin Donlin

By one count, there are more than 60,000 job sites on the Internet. And while this gives you a lot of ways to look for jobs, don't let the technology fool you. Because, while the Internet can be a valuable job search tool, no computer or Web site ever hired anyone. It's people who power the job market. A recent survey in The Wall Street Journal bears this out. It showed that referrals are still the most widely used hiring method in America, filling more jobs than Internet postings or classified ads. So, don't overlook your network of personal and professional contacts. It's still the best way to find out about available positions. Here are three ways to help you get the most out of your network. 1. Write it down Don't keep track of your network in your head -- get it on paper or on computer. For each person you know, jot down their name and the company they work for. Include names of family, friends, neighbors, vendors and clients. You'll quickly build an extensive list this way! 2. Start with the right attitude Networking can be daunting for those don't want to look "desperate" by asking friends and relatives for a job. So don't ask for one! Instead, see yourself as a valuable resource, a walking solution to some company's problems. This mind-flip can give you the confidence needed to approach people for information about possible openings. 3. Keep expanding You can build your network to gigantic proportions by asking each person this magic question: "Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?" Get names and phone numbers, then follow up religiously with these new contacts. And so on, and so on. Don't overlook your school's placement office as a referral source. One client of mine made the leap from customer service rep to business analyst by talking to people in his university's employment office and asking to meet employees of his target companies. The Internet can be a great employment resource. But remember that a successful job search is about making personal connections. You can make more and better connections -- and connect with your next job -- if you manage your names efficiently, have the right attitude and ask for referrals to new contacts. Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back.

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The Value of Networking

by Kevin Donlin This week, I'd like to talk about networking. Keep in mind that only about 5-10% of all new jobs are posted in the classified ads or on the Internet. The rest are filled by word of mouth. And that means you should be out there networking, talking to people about your next job! Your goal is to talk to as many people as possible about the job you seek. And don't be afraid to have others do some networking for you. As an example, my friend got a job because her mother played bridge with the wife of a company president. During casual conversation, her mother mentioned that she was looking for a job. A few days later, she had an interview!

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How to Find and Work with a Recruiter

By Kevin Donlin Finding a third-party recruiter, also known as a headhunter, is a bit like finding a dentist or a lawyer -- the sheer number of choices can keep you from making any decision at all. Over the years, I've consulted with dozens of recruiters, so I'd like to pass along a few tips to help you find the right one. There are thousands of recruiters to choose from, so try to find one who specializes in your field. Your personal network is a good place to start. Ask friends and co-workers if they can recommend a recruiter who's worked for them. After that, try the Yellow Pages and your favorite search engines. Once of the main benefits of working with a recruiter is the time it can save you. If you're currently employed and aren't able to conduct a thorough job search, a recruiter can act as your eyes and ears. Many will even interview you at night so you can go about your business during the day. When you contact a recruiting agency, be sure to ask about their fees. In this tight labor market, most won't charge you, because they're paid by employers to beat the bushes for qualified candidates. If you don't mind paying a fee (for what should be a much higher level of service), be sure to contact at least three recruiters to get a feel for pricing in your field or geographic region. Once you've found a suitable agency, get their fax number or e-mail address and send them your resume. Call to confirm that they got it. It's all right to call once to follow up after that, but most recruiters probably won't have time to chat unless they have an opening that matches your skills closely. In the meantime, pursue other avenues of job hunting, such as your network of personal and business contacts. In other words, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you see a recruiter as just another tool to assist you in your active job search, you'll get better results, faster. Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back.

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