For over 25 years I have been coaching people from all walks of life on how to find a job. And without question the most common and worst mistake these job seekers have made is:
-Spending most of their time answering ads
-Endlessly revising their resumes
-Sending out resumes to blind contacts
Instead of making meaningful connections via face-to-face networking.
More than 50% of all jobs are never posted, online, in the paper or anywhere else. But job seekers who are proactively taking advantage of every opportunity to meet people, to tell them their story, finding out what is going on are more likely to find a job. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 80% of all jobs are found through networking or direct contact. - So if you are not regularly networking in person - face-to-face," then you are making the biggest job searching mistake of all.
Networking Tips & Tricks
During my year+ of blogging I have written about networking more than any other topic. So I think you can see how passionate I am about this topic. While networking may not come easily to you and that could put you out of your comfort zone; the days of just applying for a job and then waiting for a call from a potential employer are over. With the jobless economic recovery and unemployment still in the 7% range if you are not networking, you are not working.
Here is a short list of some my favorite tips and tricks to help power your networking.
Related: 5 Ways to Power Up Your Networking in 2013
1. Make a habit of going to a networking event monthly.
I am not a fan of job search related networking events. I'd rather see job seekers going to business centered or community events. Why? Simply put, you want to go where the jobs are and typically people who are employed know where they are. These business and civic events are usually free. To find these gatherings, go to your local newspaper website, television station website, or business journal webpage.
Related: 6 Tips for Working the Room at a Networking Event
2. Have a follow up plan
Great! You met someone but what is your plan to following up? I suggest you have a game plan in place to follow up, including a "nice to meet you email."
3. Don't leave home without business cards
I met one of my best clients ever at the supermarket. Networking can happen at any place and at any time. The business card is still the key instrument in securing a contact.
Related: Power Up Your Business Card
4. Join Your Professional Trade Association
Just about every profession has a trade association by becoming an active member you can connect to networking opportunities that can lead to real jobs in your chosen field. Find your trade association at the A-Z Index of Trade Associations.
5. Join Toastmasters'
Toastmasters' is a well-known networking and job sourcing tool. Strengthen your communication and networking skills while interacting with professionals from all walks of life. Find a club near year at www.Toastmasters.org
6. Complete Your Profile and Become Active on LinkedIn
Yes, I know this post is all about face-to-face networking; however, LinkedIn has become the professional connection tool of record. Effective networkers use LinkedIn to gather information on people that they may meet at networking events or may want to make targets for their network. Having a complete profile will allow potential networkers to find you. For job-related LinkedIn searching tips attend the LinkedIn Simplified Seminar on September 18th.
The Bottom Line: Get The Networking Edge
Without question finding a job is hard work. However, I beg you to stop making the worst mistake by not embracing the edge that face to face networking can give your job search.