Need a New Job? 5 Ways to Power Up your Networking

There are hundreds - indeed thousands -of jobs advertised on the internet every day. Sites likeClassifind.com.au and others make them easy to browse, search andfilter. But searching online should not be your only strategy for jobhunting. Don’t discount the potential of networking.

It is often said that only 30% (or 20%,or even 10%, depending who you talk to) of jobs are advertised. Allthe rest are filled by word-of-mouth: networking. There is nodefinitive study to prove this statistic and it may be well wide ofreality, but there is no doubt that networking does work for somepeople.

Many people fear networking becausethey see it as selling. Amway and other pyramid - or ‘network’ -selling schemes have created this misconception. In truth, networkingis simply keeping in touch with a wide range of people, helping themout when you can, and getting help in return. It is, in essence, nomore than being an active member of a community.

Here are five tips to get you startedwith effective use of networking as a job-seeking strategy:

Start today. The best way to create an effective network is todo so before you need it. Networking works best when you areable to do something for others without expectation of anything inreturn. Then, when your time comes to job hunt, people will fall overthemselves to do what they can for you. Would you help a stranger asmuch as you would help a friend? The same logic applies.


Get online. There is no doubt that the internet provides uswith some powerful new networking tools. The current ‘big three’are Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. There isn’t space to explainthese here but if you haven’t had a look at them, do so. They areall about connecting with others and sharing information: includingjob opportunities. The ‘start today’ rule applies as much here asit does anywhere.

Get offline. While new technologies are fun to play with andcan be effective, don’t forget the most powerful form ofcommunication there has ever been: face-to-face. Buy a coffee for arecruiter who was good to you in the past. Catch up with former workcolleagues. Touch base with your old boss. Join a regular networkinggroup. Your list will be longer than you think.

Use your community. Job seekers often forget to use anotherpowerful network: the community they live in. Drop the kids at schooland chat with other parents. Help out at the next working bee. Talkwork at the local pub or at the football: it’s okay ... really.You’ll never know who-knows-who unless you make this effort.

Look out for others first. Effective networking takes time.You can’t go into it with the expectation that it will bring quickresults. The trick is maintain what some networking groups call a‘givers gain’ mentality. Always be looking out for opportunitiesto help others and eventually this ‘positive energy’ will comeback to you. Sounds a bit corny, but it works.

Networking works best if you canmake it a routine part of the way you live your life. Anyone who runstheir own business understands this. Unfortunately, people withsteady jobs tend not to do it so well. They therefore find that ifthey lose their job, they have no supporting network in place.

David James Brewster, is a writer for Classifind.com.au. Classifind.com.au is Australia's largest search engine specialising in jobs. Hundreds of thousands of job listings from major Australian job boards are brought together in one place, reducing search time.