Career Networking

Most job openings are not advertised. Networking leads to more job openings than other methods.

Networking is no more complicated than talking and listening to learn and share resources, connections, and opportunities. Networking works because it taps into our core human need to make personal connections and help one another. For most people, it's a normal part of daily life.

Career networking is no different. It's just a little more formalized. Once you understand the three basic phases of planning, building, and tending, you can make career networking a normal and comfortable part of your daily routine.

Planning

The planning phase of networking has three major tasks:

• Define your objective and develop your core message.
• Determine your target companies.
• Consider what you have to offer your contacts.

Your first task is to define your professional objective and develop your core message around this objective. What is it that you really want as a career? How does it relate to your skills and strengths? Your answers will be your core networking message.

Consider the size, location, and types of companies you would prefer to work for. These are your target companies. You'll find specific resources in the Job Search Tools & Tips section to help you with this step.

Finally, what you have to offer your contacts? Networking is a two-way street. Be prepared to share something of value even if you think the person you're talking to doesn't need anything. Your generosity can pay great dividends.

Building

When building your career network, start with the people you already know. You might have never talked with them about your career before, but share with them your core message and ask them about their career.

A career network is more than a collection of casual acquaintances. You'll increase your chances of knowing "the right people" by attending job clubs and joining professional associations where other people in IT gather. These meetings usually have time set aside for networking.

You never know when or where you will meet someone to add to your career network. Keep a few business cards with you at all times. If someone asks you for one, make it a practice to write down their contact information as well. Follow up with new contacts soon after meeting them with a note or e-mail thanking them for the conversation.

Tending

As you tend (or work with) your network, you will need to develop a system for keeping track of your contacts, when you last spoke, and what you talked about. You should also keep track of personal information about your contacts such as place of employment, family information, hobbies, or interests. Keeping this information handy will help you follow up in ways that show you care and make you memorable.

Setting networking goals around planning, building, and tending your network is the most important commitment you can make to your job search and future career success. Your goals may be to attend a certain number of events in a month, call a certain number of contacts after each event, or add a certain number of contacts each week.