The following is a small, hypothetical example of networking. Immediately surrounding ‘you’ are your own networking contacts (e.g., those individuals you know, those working in your field, managers who hire). Some of the contacts were able to suggest another person to speak with. This diagram shows a number of referrals and the sequence that unfolded as communication occurred, either in person, over the phone, or by letter. In this case one referral resulted in a job interview.
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Create a work schedule: research to do, phone calls to make, letters to write, and meetings to attend. If you can, prepare your list of the next day’s activities the night before. When you get up in the morning, you are then able to begin work right away. Keep records of people you are trying to, and did, reach. P=phoned. L=sent letter. E=sent email message. V=left voice mail message. F=sent fax. M=arranged meeting. C=completed follow-up. Add the date on which each activity happened. Keep all your information about your networking contacts in a notebook, perhaps one you began when conducting information interviews. When you are speaking with anyone, note what their interests are, what they want, and how you can be of service. Add to your diary their name, address, phone, fax, email, plus any other relevant information you have learned. By having the details readily available, you may be able to help someone. Carry the diary with you. You will always know the status of each contact, and can follow up even when you are not at your desk. When you need to leave a voice mail message, in less than 30 seconds give complete information about who you are and why you called. Make sure the greeting on your answering machine is business-like. If you are not sure about the reliability of others taking a phone message for you, you may want to consider adding a second phone line with a professional answering service. If the type of work you are looking for means that employers need to get in touch with you quickly when you are away from your phone, consider wearing a beeper so that you can return
In addition to speaking with people in person, you can take advantage of the telephone to collect information from people who can make suggestions on what jobs are, or will be, available in the hidden job market and the hiring qualifications. Initially you may find using the telephone intimidating, with the result that the person you are speaking with senses your lack of confidence. Preparation is the key. The words you say (the script) will need to be well thought out. Your voice needs some practice to warm up before you begin conversation.
So much of the meaning of your message is communicated by the way you speak over the phone, rather than by the actual words you use. Tape-record yourself giving a 3 to 5 minute presentation. Do you have a pleasing tone? Are you talking at the right speed for the listener? Are all the words clearly and easily heard? Do you put emphasis on words or ideas that are more important to catch the listener’s attention? Do you notice some habits that will cause the listener to become distracted? Do you have a liberal sprinkling of verbal fillers such as ummm, ahhh, like, you know, etc.? Are you using the fillers to give you time to think? Instead, be silent while you think. Do you raise your voice at the end of the sentence even though you are not asking a question? Although the listener cannot see your body language, you need to be just as careful as if you were meeting face-to-face. Sitting in a business-like manner will help you maintain professionalism. Smiling will help you to become more relaxed and project a more positive attitude. Show enthusiasm and be polite.
Add names to your list based on any additional research you have conducted or leads you have received. Begin making your phone calls to those names at the bottom of the list so that you will be experienced and confident when you get to those most important to you. After you select the person to phone, prepare a written list of questions that you plan to ask. Make sure though that you don’t ask for information that you could have located through a publicly available source such as a directory or web page. Speak initially with people who are currently working with a potential employer, not the hiring manager, but people in that department (or in other areas) so that you can get helpful details to tailor your application to the employer’s needs.
When you get the person on the phone, identify yourself and mention how you found out about the organization. Since you will need some of their time to answer questions, ask if they have a moment now or if they would prefer that you call later. Don’t mention that you are looking for a job. They can too easily brush you off with, "There’s nothing available". If that happens, you might respond, "I am sorry to hear that there are no openings at this time, however, I would still like to learn more about the work you and your department do." You first need to find out if there is a fit between you and the organization. Ask open-ended questions about non-confidential information. If it is appropriate, you could request the name and title of the person who hires. Ensure that you get the right spelling. If you don’t know whether it is a male or female name, ask. Since you are inquiring about the field of work generally and that company specifically, you may also ask if there is anyone else you should speak to about finding other opportunities in the area you want to work in.
You will need to keep good records of the information received and names of other people mentioned, as well as any terminology/vocabulary used to describe the work. Add the date of your phone call and what follow-up you need to do. If you need to get back to a person again, begin your conversation by jogging the person’s memory of what you talked about the last time.
If you get a voice mail recording when trying to reach a contact, know what you want to say. Be prepared. The message needs to engage them enough to want to speak with you. If you want them to call you back, let them know the best time to reach you. Repeat your phone number again at the end so that they do not have to go back through your message to find it. However, you may be wasting your time waiting for the phone to ring. You may want to say that if you don’t hear from them by a certain time, you will try them again. Then keep trying until you do.
Looking for a job in a location where you currently do not reside is a major task. Begin by subscribing to a local newspaper and by checking out the area at the library and on the Internet. You may find it more economically feasible to make some phone contacts before travelling to your preferred location. If the time zone is different from yours, be sure to call at a favourable time to them. A long-distance calling plan may help you to reduce the costs of many long distance charges. For contacts, try alumni or business associations in the area. Set your dates for a trip there. Write and telephone to arrange meetings. Finish the rest of your job search in that location. The hiring manager may be more willing to meet with you, as the company would not have to pay your travel expenses. When there is a job opening, employers are more inclined to interview "local" people who meet their qualifications. It would be helpful for you therefore to have an address and phone number from the location you wish to move to, so that you can include it on your business card, your resume and/or letters. Perhaps you know someone in the area who would give you permission to use his/her address and phone number, as well as pass messages along to you. You may want to consider getting a 1-800 number or inviting people to call you collect. It may be in your best interests not to relocate permanently to another community until you’re sure of employment.
Myth #1: Do not network where there is an advertised position. Send a resume.
Reality: You need to take additional action to set yourself apart from the other candidates. Visit or phone to assist your application.
Myth #2: Approach networking strictly as a job search tool.
Reality: People who cannot hire you also have valuable information to share. Keep up your contacts after your job search too. Stay on good terms for future. Try to help your contacts where possible. Networking is a two-way street!
Myth #3: Join many associations and hand out as many resumes as you can at meetings.
Reality: Do join one or two associations that you really have an interest in. Then, participate in meetings and take on assignments. Show the other members what you can do, that you have the skills you indicate on your resume. Once these people see your skills, they will be more likely to want to recommend you.
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