Networking is Key in a Tight Job Market

The vast majority of jobs are never advertised nor posted on the web. How do you find them? Through your network of friends, acquaintances, co-workers and former bosses. Networks are important in times of lay-offs both within and outside your company. So what is networking all about? It is connecting with others for fun and mutual assistance.

Conscious, purposeful networking helps to

• Uncover opportunities and to keep options open
• Identify problems that people will pay you to solve
• Increase timeliness in achieving your objectives

What you might want from a network

• Get an introduction to someone who may be able to help you
• Gather specific information that you want or need
• Gain visibility and increase your reputation
• Keep up to date in your field
• Learn a new skill

What you might have to offer your network

• New ideas and critiques of others' ideas
• Specific knowledge or expertise
• Mentoring or teaching
• News of changes in the field
• Giving feedback and appreciation
• Increasing other's networks

Those of us who are more extraverted may find networking easy, while those who are more introverted may need to rely on friends who are good networkers. Some network for practicality while others network for ingenuity. Some network for factual information while others network for human interest. Some only network to achieve an objective while others network to respond to opportunities. Which aspects of networking are more interesting to you?

• Guardians tend to be the most aware of the structural and logistical aspects of businesses and organizations. They don't like to make changes unless there are proven benchmarks. Their most successful contacts come from working to improve business operations or smooth people interactions. Their networks help provide stability to themselves and others.



• Artisans live in the now and want excitement in their lives. They are pragmatic and want something that works. Artisans are most successful if they make connections to deal with crisis and change and to energize others to action. Their networks help uncover opportunities.



• Idealists want to improve the future for others. They are proponents of self-development. Idealists are most successful when they network to help others succeed and to influence organizational change. Their networks provide inspiration for others.



• Rationals are the least common of the different personality types. They drive themselves to be knowledgeable and competent, but often are less aware of the personal aspects of business relationships. They are most successful when they network to enact strategies or to design new systems. Their networks bring new ideas.

Networking may be the key to finding and landing your next job. If you begin your networking efforts with the objective of using your own personal strengths to help others, you'll find that the reciprocal benefits make the effort more than worthwhile.