ShareThisSince February is the month of love, it's a possibility that job seekers can learn a lot from Cupid, according to Shawn Graham, author of "Courting Your Career," published by JIST.
Graham says that "statistics indicate that most job seekers despise networking," which most job-search specialists believe should be your No. 1 search activity. "These people (who despise networking) often miss out on dozens of job leads that could have connected them to their dream job."
Graham likens the importance of networking to dating.
"Before you can date someone, you need to meet someone. And, what better place to meet someone than in a 'meet market,' which is like selecting steaks at your local grocery store. I'm talking about meeting someone through a friend or a friend of a friend," says Graham.
"Like dating, when you're looking for a job, mutual friends can be a great resource for expanding your professional network."
And I say that during bleak economic times like today, networking becomes even more important. Remember that even companies in the midst of downsizing will hire you if you can help their bottom line right now. Networking will help you find opportunities that are not posted or advertised anywhere.
Graham offers the following networking dos:
-- Be professional and courteous during all of your interactions.
-- Proofread all e-mails.
-- Ask insightful and thoughtful questions.
-- Ask for names of others who may be willing to help you.
-- Send thank-you notes to contacts whether they were helpful or not.
-- Stay in touch with contacts even after you find a job.
Graham also offers these networking don'ts:
-- Make a contact feel used and manipulated.
-- Ask a contact to find you a job.
-- Send generic e-mails to new or existing contacts.
-- Miss, or be late to, a meeting.
-- Monopolize someone's time when he or she has agreed to speak with you.
Networking is the one activity most likely to result in employment opportunities in good times and bad. As Graham says, "Most employers prefer to hire a job candidate who's been referred by a trusted employee. That way, they can feel more like they're venturing into known territory."
(Marvin Walberg is a job-search coach. Contact him at mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net, marvinwalberg.blogspot.com, or PO Box 43056, Birmingham, AL 35243.)
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