Professional Networking Advice for Your Job Search

When it comes to your job search, look to the power of your business network. Finding contacts, establishing references and pursuing leads through networking can be more effective than job boards, job fairs, newspaper classifieds or direct-mailing campaigns.

At its core, networking comes as naturally as making friends and engaging people. However, it takes work to turn a circle of friends, acquaintances and colleagues into an effective network. Here’s some targeted networking advice for the professional on a job search. We’ll consider what it means to be an information brokers, how to use Internet resources, focus on a few don'ts, take some networking advice from recruiters, and learn how to get job references without having to ask for one directly.

An information broker is someone who establishes herself as a valuable resource in a specific field or industry. With this position, the broker also highlights their own desirability in being offered job opportunities. The ultimate goal is to get hiring managers looking for you instead of the other way around.

An information broker works on the principle of “giving first. “ By offering your expertise and information free of charge or expectations, you will build a reputation as both an authority figure and a team player, and not a desperate job searcher. Doing a favor without expecting anything in return will pay you back over time.

To groom yourself as an information broker, seek information from people in the industry that you are trying to enter. Approach it as a research project; people will recognize your interest in the field and may well consider you if a position opens up. Ultimately, knowledge is power; his command of industry information makes any professional a promising potential candidate for hire.

Professional networking services on the Internet are opening new doors. Take advantage of the latest in technology to stay near the leading edge of effective networking. One of the most powerful professional networking services is LinkedIn. Let's take a look at how this service, and others like it, can empower networks.

Create a profile comprising your experiences, achievements, education and interests. After that, connect with former and current colleagues, members of organizations to which you belong, fellow alumni, vendors and any other business contact. Since your connections are linked to those of your contacts, you can gain introductions to new contacts via mutual friends.

Building a strong network is the first step to exploiting LinkedIn. Next, you can put that network into motion by joining LinkedIn groups where you can connect with influential people and exercise your newfound power as an information broker. LinkedIn also lets you post status updates. Don't use these as shameless self-promotion but as a way to share interesting articles or pieces of newly learned information. There is an area to ask and answer questions; again, answering other people's questions is the best form of promotion. Use this unique online platform to share your own work, such as slideshows and other files. Finally, there is a calendar and events feature that will help you find relevant gatherings and inform your network about your attendance. This is a great way to create follow-up networking opportunities face to face.

Any list of networking do's should also include some caveats.

Don't disappoint contacts by missing scheduled meetings or being elusive. When genuine conflicts come up, offer alternate arrangements and stick to them as well. Blowing off someone will burn bridges and narrow the scope of a network. Don't be inflexible, either; really work to make schedules match up. Ultimately, it is about respecting other people's time as much as your own.

Don't be lazy. Sending generic and unsolicited social networking requests or passing out business cards at a get-together without making actual contacts are worse than useless. On the other hand, don't be pushy. Demanding to be introduced to new people or forcing a sales pitch on someone you've just met will only serve to tarnish your own image and embarrass the mutual friend who did you a favor in the first place.

Don't take disproportionate advantage of the relationships you develop. Just as we mentioned above, giving first is the best way to work within a network. You can “take” from others, but never returning any value will eventually sour relationships. Do not take too much of a person's time, either. If you have a detailed request, be up front about it. Never ask for a five-minute phone call that will really take an hour. Finally, don't be a stalker; be able to take 'no' as an answer and gracefully move on.

Recruiters and hiring managers always have sound networking advice to offer. Let's take a look at some of their tips.

First, don't be afraid to go to the top when making contacts. Making connections with well-meaning people who are unable to help you can be counterproductive. Instead aim high (even as high as a company's CEO). The dynamic between people is the same no matter what their relative positions might be. You can be an information broker to anyone at any level of a company,

Focus on smaller gatherings and making fewer high-quality connections rather than just mingling with a large number of people. Real connections are the most valuable; a superficial greeting and exchange of business cards will soon be forgotten. Small gatherings provide the intimacy and opportunity for effective connections and also help dissipate any lingering shyness.

Try to attend gatherings in different social circles. Going to a holiday party hosted by a charity or religious organization, for example, is an excellent way to grow a network in a different direction.

If networking does not come naturally, try bringing a friend or “wingman.” Partners can also cross-promote each other, vouching for the other's credibility.

Finally, wear something memorable, such as a colorful pocket square or a piece of statement jewelry.

Getting Job References without Asking

The Federal Bureau of Labor reported that more than 70 percent of all jobs came from some type of referral. Often, the most effective way to obtain a glowing referral is to avoid asking for one directly.

First, be visible in your element. In order to be recognized and referred as a strong professional, your achievements and accomplishments have to be noticeable. Don't go over the top here, but make sure people are taking notice of the value that you bring to your employer.

This second piece of networking advice is to make sure peers in the industry know you. They should know what you do, what you are doing and what you have done. This means having your peers know what you do as a living (if they are not currently working with you); what your current projects are; and what your past achievements are.

Remember that a referral is a powerful job-search tool. While your resume tells an employer a lot about you, it is still written in the first person. The most objective evaluation of a person's talents and capabilities is a third-person referral. Strive to create a good impression that other people will honestly project for you.