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'Tis the Season...to Network!

by Annette Clemens, Assistant Director

You’ve seen the job fair announcements on campus, you’ve heard the corporate presentations at the student organization meetings, you’ve seen the interviewing slots on the Office of Career Services’ Web page.  So by now you should have realized that we are in the thick of recruiting season, which for many students graduating in December is a time of great pressure to land (hopefully) multiple offers to pick and choose from.  But even students who are graduating in May or July should begin participating in those activities now because it never really is too early to start networking.

While attending job fairs and meeting corporate recruiters is ideal for generating tips and leads for future positions, that is only the beginning of building your network.  Simply put, a network is expanding your list of contacts in the professional workforce who you inform of the fact that you will soon be eligible for full-time employment.  These people do not have to work in your field of interest.  They merely have to be employed somewhere or know someone who has a job.  I know what you’re thinking, “Well, that’s just about everyone I know except for my seven-year-old cousin”.  To which I would reply, “Yes!  That’s exactly the point!”

Networking means talking to almost everyone you know, whether it be your neighbors, your barber or hairdresser, the mailman (yes, if you’re on friendly terms with the mailman, you should talk to him too).  To network effectively, you should be 40% more sociable than your usual comfort level.  If you’re thinking that talking to your hairdresser is a waste of time, remember that she knows a wide circle of people personally and professionally.  Those people, in turn, know an even wider circle of people, who know even more people – you get the point.  The bottom line here is that you never know who you may come in contact with in your job search.  I’m reminded of the shampoo commercial from the 1970’s that recommended you sing the praises of the product to two friends, and then they’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on…

Unfortunately, many people still have the archaic notion that getting a job means sending out a flurry of resumes with cover letters in answer to want ads in the paper and on the Internet.  While there is nothing wrong with mailing resumes and cover letters, you shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one basket.  The power of networking can’t be underestimated.  The current statistic is that approximately 80% of the open positions out there are hidden, meaning they are not advertised.  These positions are landed by word of mouth.  So it really does pay to do the “legwork” of starting conversations with the people you know to build your network.  Remember the ratio here: you should be 40% more sociable than your current comfort level to tap into 80% of the hidden job market.  And when you’ve landed the job of your dreams, be sure to thank those who’ve helped you along the way – you never know when you may need to use your network again.