Networking for Ex-offender Job Seekers

Who makes the best networking contacts? Everyone you know!

They may not have immediate job leads for you. But they could have career development advice or know-someone-who-knows-someone-who-knows-someone with a job lead.

Many jobs are never advertised. This is why networking is a crucial element of job hunting. Employers prefer to interview and hire people referred to them by people they know. This includes referrals from job clubs and WorkForce Centers. Referrals can be especially helpful for job seekers with criminal records.

What Is Networking?

Networking is not something only executives do. It's not something only for outgoing, super-confident people either. And it's not just for cocktail parties.

Networking is simply talking with people who have similar interests or career goals in the hopes of helping each other with those career goals. Family members network with each other when they pass along career advice. Friends network when they share job leads. Coworkers network when they talk about industry trends and company information.

If you have ever received a job lead from a friend or had a conversation with anyone about the job market, then you have networked. Congratulations!

But networking should not be limited to casual conversations. Develop a plan to contact people for ideas, suggestions, and information that will help you get job leads.

Steps to forming a job search network:

• Make a list of contacts
• Set goals
• Set up a meeting
• Meet with your contacts
• Follow up after the meeting