Best Tips for Leveraging Your Network in your Job Search - CareerAlley

Best Tips for Leveraging Your Network in your Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Your network of friends, coworkers, business acquaintances and family is one of your most important job search assets. How you leverage your network during your job search is equally as important and can often be the deciding factor in how quickly you land a new job. There are many ways you can leverage your network and there is a delicate balance between over-using your network and not using it enough. Building Your Network: Your network is something that you should build and cultivate over time. Knowing who is in your network, where they work and how they might enhance your career is very important. With tools like LinkedIn, that should not be difficult. Remember, networking is a two way street and giving advice/help is as important as getting help when it is needed. Keep track of your contacts. This includes (but is not limited to): Current and former coworkers College friends, roommates and college professors Friends, neighbors, community groups and relatives Professional association members Professionals (attorneys, accountants, doctors, dentists, etc.) Current and former managers Boy/Girl Scouting friends, sports team members and coaches Use networking tools to see who you may know from former employers Networking not your favorite? Take a look at [easyazon_link asin=1605095222 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected[/easyazon_link]. Managing Your Network: Years ago, it was all about your Rolodex (some of you will need to look that one up). Keeping track of your network has never been easier. There are a number of popular networking tools. My favorite (and one of the best known) is LinkedIn, although you should use whatever works best for you. Size matters but . . . Only connect with people you actually know (weve all received requests from people weve never heard of) Make sure you keep in contact with the most important people in your network Give recommendations to those in your network who are deserving There is nothing wrong with asking for recommendations do it sooner rather than later Continue to build on your brand, update your skills and experience Know Your Networks Network: Sometimes its not who you know, sometimes its who your network knows. If you have an interview scheduled, check to see who in your network works (or a has worked) at this company No one on the list? Check to see who knows someone that has worked at the company (LinkedIn has this ability) Leverage your network to find out more about the companies they work for Canvass your network for job opportunities at their companies Look at several business networking sites and organizations. While you dont want to spread yourself thin, dont limit yourself to just one network. Related Articles: 10 Quick and Easy Ways to Use Social Media to find a Job 5 Resources to Check Your Job Search Social Profile 5 Resources for Leveraging Your Network in Your Job Search We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by