I'm Louise Fletcher. As President of 
Never Have to Job Search Again -Network Purposefully!
By now, you may already know that networking is an important job searching technique. But how do you find the networking contacts needed to find the unadvertised jobs in your field? How do you get started on building a productive network of the right kind of contacts? Here are some clever and effective ways to begin to create your Network Purposefully, to connect directly with hiring decision makers at your target employers.
If you develop these important relationships now, then when you need a job lead, you may have the inside track through the people you know or from referrals from these strategic contacts to individuals in their network who can help you with your job search. In fact, if you continuously expand your network, your exchanges with your contacts may suggest your next career challenge even if you are not officially a candidate meaning that you may never have to proactively look for a new job ever again.
1. Create a list of target employers and identify current contacts affiliated with these companies. Reach out to each insider offering something to attract their attention- not by asking about a position opening. Make your communication about them, not you!
2. Re-establish and promote/maintain existing connections through scheduled email exchanges, invitations to events, sharing relevant resources and links, occasional phone calls, holiday cards, inperson meetings, etc.
3. Initiate new networking connections with employees at target companies identified through corporate research, conference listings, author by-lines, letters to the editor, trade publication and business press citations, personal introductions by mutual contacts, affinity group connections, etc.
4. Expedite your insider networking contacts by a third party referral - ask each of your contacts if they will personally recommend you to one of their connections inside a target employer on your list
5. Be proactive- set up a three way discussion, make an introduction or referral by email, send an appropriate gift, subscription, blog quote, to start a conversation and interact one on one,etc.
6. Promote your online visibility – publish and promote a blog, establish a web portfolio, join and interact on email lists or chats, develop a video resume, give an interview, produce a podcast, give an interview, publish an e-book, etc. Periodically update these and inform your network contacts about them and about all revisions.
7. Offer to chair an industry conference section or social meeting at a industry event. Follow up on the contacts you make for this event.
8. Volunteer for community education programs, school events, sporting activities, etc. where you can demonstrate your expertise and be remembered.
9. Write a book, or column or article for your professional association – differentiate yourself as a niche expert.
10. Organize monthly or quarterly inperson networking gatherings (eg., breakfasts, lunches, dinners, cocktails) at an attractive and convenient venue and invite targeted contacts- organize around a shared interest or event.
11. Send your compliments to journalists, academic pundits, etc. and offer to help by sharing your knowledge, contacts and expertise. Stay in touch and promote a relationship through multiple exchanges, not a one time comment.
Debra Feldman, the JobWhiz
Great ideas. Networking is always suggested as a job search panacea, but these are solid suggestions that can be put to work.
Posted by: Peter Dunn | May 31, 2008 at 04:20 PM