Jessica Pierce

Interactive Networking to Career Landing: Part 1 of 2

This week I was privileged to speak at the Disability Empowerment Center at their event Focus on Employment: Creating Careers for a Brighter Future. The following are the high points of my presentation Interactive Networking to Career Landing.  

Did you know as many as 80% of open jobs are never posted publicy? It’s true. Networking is the #1 way people are finding jobs. Building relationships with professionals, recruiters and hiring managers is key to landing the job of your dreams. In order to do this you must first understand networking, building relationships, preparing to network and then networking your way into a new job.

What is networking? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines networking as the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions. We use the term specific to the the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.

People do business with people they know, like and trust. The same holds true for hiring employees. Given that most jobs are never posted, it truly pays to build relationships with the people who are hiring. Job listings tend, especially in the last five years, to attract hundreds of applicants; it is easy for yours to get lost in the pile.

Why do companies network to fill open positions? The simple answer is low cost. Rather than spending upwards of $40,000 on a professional recruiter internal hiring managers can network at no or low cost. By actively networking to find the right employee companies are also saving money; the turnover rate for these employees is much lower.

What are the benefits of networking to a jobseeker? In addition to what we have already mentioned, networking for a job or career:

• Increases your understanding of your own potential
• Narrows your employer list to companies that are truly a good match for you
• Narrows your employer list to companies that are actively hiring
• Develop confidence
• Gain recognition – be the known person, be known as the expert in your field
• Learn and improve interviewing skills
• Develop relationships and gain support from community and industry leaders
• Gain valuable information about the job search process from the experts

As your homework, make a list of everyone you know that may be able to help you find a job. It may be hiring managers or people who know hiring managers. It may be a spouse, neighbor, friend, colleague of a friend or relative. Research local resources for job seekers. In the Phoenix Area we have Networking Phoenix, Career Connectors, Maricopa Workforce Connection and industry-specific groups.

In our next post we will discuss the Career Networking Model which will provide action steps for you.

Take a deep breath. Exhale. Know you are not alone. There are people in your life and community waiting for you to ask them for help. I for one pray everyday that you land the career of your dreams.

Jessica Pierce is Founder and President of Accelerated Team Dynamics, LLC (ATD) a company dedicated to getting employees placed in the right positions in the marketplace by coaching companies as well as candidates. She is also Executive Director of Career Connectors, a community outreach program dedicated to connecting Real People to Real Careers. She is a known speaker, trainer and career transition expert.

Related articles

• How to Use LinkedIn to Find Your Next Job (jessica-pierce.com)
• Tips to Using Twitter in Your Job Search (jessica-pierce.com)
• 32 #Hashtags for the Job Search (jessica-pierce.com)