Job Networking - Part 1 of 2 (September 13,1999)

Kathy’s Korner Article:
Job Networking (Part 1 of 2-Part Series)
Originally Published September 13, 1999

Written by Kathy Grosskurth, Cobb Career Site

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In past columns, I’ve primarily dealt with career exploration issues. Specifically, I’ve touched on the following topics: narrowing one’s career focus, choosing appropriate career field(s), and the importance of communication throughout both the career exploration and job search processes. Now, I will shift gears and begin discussing issues related to the actual job search itself. This particular column is about job networking.

Job networking is defined as the process of uncovering and following through on job leads received through personal contacts. The premise behind the job networking process is this: The best jobs are found not entirely by "what you know," but in many circumstances by "who you know." Statistics kept over the years have supported this claim - and so have reports from the majority of my clients over time (and those of my colleges as well!). One caution is worth noting here: The process is most effective only after one has narrowed his/her career focus and has selected appropriate career field(s) matching one’s unique gifts, talents, temperament, and lifestyle requirements.

I myself have to admit something here: in all the years I’ve instructed others about the job networking rationale and process, I never really fully appreciated its effectiveness until quite recently during my own job search! Although the rationale makes intellectual sense in theory, actually using the process myself helped me to realize a couple of things:

1. The process was really a time-saver in finding my next job, and

2. I felt much more in control of my search in having used this process.

Using the job networking process in finding my next job was really a time-saver for a number of reasons. First, it allowed me to communicate to others specifically what I was looking for - and since most of the people I knew were able to understand my preferences and also were able to communicate these with others, the referrals were usually a more complete match. Second, it really did allow me to uncover job leads not advertised elsewhere - which many esteemed job search experts claim comprise anywhere from about 70 to 85% of all available jobs! Third, in many circumstances personal referrals are often given more serious consideration for openings than those referrals obtained by other methods (responding to ads, cold calling, job postings on the internet, employment agencies and recruiters); I definitely found that out to be true in MY case.

Using the job networking process also allowed me to feel more in control of my search. First, I was able to choose my contacts, providing me with a sense of direction and allowing me to experience a certain level of comfort. Second, being comfortable with contacting those I knew or those to whom I was referred enabled me to clearly communicate my employment needs. This communication essentially limited calls from those with jobs not in line with my skills and abilities and thus enabled me to save valuable time in my search. Third, the confidence I felt I displayed in dealing with those through my network seemed to increase the number of interested parties wanting to interview me - and thus it seemed I received more job offers in a shorter time period.

In the next column I will address some do’s and don’ts of networking from my personal perspective, as well as share some tips from the experts.

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Reprints and/or usage rights are available for this and other related articles for a nominal fee. For information, contact the author, Kathy Grosskurth via email