The aim of networking is to develop and maintain relationships—something women are naturally good at in their personal lives, but not so great at when it comes to their careers. Think of networking as sharing time, information, resources, and opportunities. It can be as simple as just talking to everyone you know.
Networking is crucial throughout your career, but at this moment, you’re networking with a purpose: to find job opportunities. Your goal is to spin a huge web of contacts who will lead you to someone who needs to hire a person just like you. The larger your web, the more prospects you’ll have. The following tips and ideas will help you network like a pro, but it’s up to you to take action.
Keep a Rolodex. It’s crucial to keep track of everyone you contact. We love the old-fashioned fun of flipping through a Rolodex, but you may prefer the convenience of a Palm Pilot. An inexpensive notebook, address book, or box of index cards is just as effective. Save all the business cards you receive during your networking activities and make cards for prospective contacts. Mark down the date of each interaction with each person—meetings, phone calls, and résumé mailings. Record who refers you to whom and how you followed up. Regularly flip through these contact cards or notebook pages to make sure no contact falls through the cracks.
Start close to home. The question is: who do you know? And the answer: more people than you think. And those people know countless others. So get the word out—seize every opportunity to publicize your job search. Shout it from the rooftops! Begin asking for assistance with the right attitude. You are in business to get a job. Tell your clergy, clubs, professional organization members, volunteer contacts, merchants, civic leaders, neighbors, and anyone and everyone they know as well. Don’t leave out your classmates, former classmates, school alumni, teachers, professors, coaches, and anyone who was ever on your team or in your class. Coworkers, former co-workers, bosses, and friends’ bosses count, too. Be specific: instead of just asking them “who’s hiring,” let them know the type of position you’re looking for.
Get your hair cut and your teeth cleaned. Mention what you’re interested in to everyone—your personal trainer, the babysitter, the butcher, the baker—you get the idea. You never know who might know someone who knows someone who knows someone. Hairdressers and dentists tend to know everyone, so tap them for leads.
Be a good listener. Even if you’re not great at small talk, it’s easy to be a good listener. Everyone loves to talk about himself or herself, and other people’s experiences are a great way to learn about a career or a company, as well as potential job openings. Just ask a few key questions: “What do you do?” “Where are you working?” “How’d you get started?” Then sit back and soak up the information. A random encounter at a coffee shop or on a subway may spark a new job or industry idea in your head.
Find a reason to call. We know it’s uncomfortable to call someone out of the blue to say hello, especially when what you really want to do is scream, “Can’t you find me a friggin’ job?” Find articles or news programs that you might recommend to your key contacts. “I saw this article and thought of you …” shows you are up on your current events and that your professional life is top-of-mind. This tactic is sure to impress! If you can’t come up with something quite as clever, invite your contact for afternoon tea or an evening cocktail at the newest spot in town. It’s less expensive than a whole meal, and that drink could lead to great connections. Instead of asking for a job, start by offering your contact the opportunity to share their career advice and individual stories.
