Finding a new job sometimes boils down to a numbers game: The more people you know, and the more people who know you're looking for a new job, the more likely you are to hear about job opportunities or be recommended to a potential employer. In other words, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."
Regardless of your career stage, role or industry, building and maintaining relationships with friends, family and colleagues can help reduce your job-searching time significantly. In fact, when it's done right, it can eliminate the need to search for a job altogether - because employers and recruiters will come looking for you.
'Personal networking' isn't just for senior executives, and it's a lot easier than you think. Here are three basic steps designed to help you reap the rewards of networking:
STEP 1: Build your network
It's simple: The bigger your network, the more opportunities you'll hear about. You've already got a basic personal network (your friends, family and current or former colleagues); now you need to build on it.
Building your network is really just about connecting to more people. Start by making an effort to get to know co-workers who work in different departments and who you'd otherwise not have an opportunity to work with; introduce yourself to people who work in your field at industry events; and participate in online forums and discussion groups. (The best personal networks are a combination of on- and off-line relationships.)
Remember, networking isn't about how many names and phone numbers you've got in your Blackberry; it's about developing real relationships based on shared interests over long periods of time.
A great way to start the relationship-building process? Share information: If you're an expert on something - whether it's work-related or not - offer to provide advice or insight to others. This increases the chances that they'll 'share' with you the next time they hear about a great opportunity.
STEP 2: Manage your network
The most successful businesspeople are the ones who maintain relationships over the long-term - 5, 10, 20+ years. There's no better referral or recommendation than someone saying, "Oh, if you're looking to fill X position, you should call Anik - I've known her for 10 years and she's great at what she does."
Maintaining relationships starts with staying in touch: Making sure you touch base - by email, phone, or even lunch - on a regular basis helps keep you top-of-mind with your contacts, and increases the chances they'll think of you when they hear of an opportunity.
It's important to remember that all relationships, personal or professional, involve some give and take: If you want your contacts to help you with information, recommendations or advice, you have to be prepared to do the same for them - cheerfully. Investing 15 minutes today to help someone out could pay big dividends a year from now when the situation is reversed.
Also remember as you grow your network that real, personal relationships are your goal. Unless you are looking for a role in sales or marketing, having 600 contacts in LinkedIn that you hardly know doesn't actually give you a very valuable network. Contacts who can actually speak about your strengths, skills and experiences are what you are after.
Best tools to help you manage your networks? LinkedIn (for strictly professional contacts) and Facebook (to manage friends, family, and colleagues with whom you've become friends over the years). And don't forget to keep your mobile phone address book up-to-date!
STEP 3: Leverage your network
Now that you've built and nurtured your network, it's time to leverage it by letting your network know that you're in the market for a new job. The "best fit job" for you isn't going to find you by accident, so letting your network know exactly what you are looking for in your dream role is key. The members of your strong, personal network will keep their eyes open for you once they know what you want to see.
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