by Janice Heath

Created on: February 03, 2010

Have you ever employed someone to provide a service for you based on the recommendation of someone you knew?  In this situation you probably felt assured that the service provided would be timely and of good quality because the person who recommended the service had a good experience.  If you were aware of a job opportunity and someone you knew or someone you met at work or socially appeared to be a good fit for the position, wouldn’t you mention the job to them?   This is called networking.

Networking during your job search is the most powerful step you can take to land your next job.  In fact, a job search that does not involve networking is likely to be an extended search. The logic behind this is simple.  Organisations quite often prefer to hire people they know, or know about.  This approach cuts down the risk that a new employee may prove unsuitable.  It also reduces the cost of recruitment.  Some organisations even offer their employees incentives to introduce suitable candidates for vacant positions. 

From a candidate’s point of view, if you can source a job opportunity through networking, you will be starting ahead of the competition.  You will be presenting yourself as someone whose background and capabilities are known and vouched for, in contrast to other candidates who are unknown and therefore starting from scratch in relation to their credibility.

Networking is all about building relationships with others. This is not a difficult task; it is something that you do naturally every day.  Care should be taken however when networking in relation to a job search to ensure that you do not make the whole interaction about your requirements.  While you want to make it known that you are seeking a position and would be grateful for any information or contacts that this person may have to offer, you also want to make a positive impression and engender cooperation.  Listen to what the other person has to say, show a genuine interest in what is going on in their world.  Avoid making your job search the sole focus of the conversation unless it is appropriate in the particular circumstances.

Friends and family are the obvious first place to start networking as they know you well and will have an understanding of your capabilities and the kind of work you are looking for.  If they don’t, you should make the effort to let them know you are looking for a position. 

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