Some people think they can google their way to their next job. I can understand
why - in many ways, it is easier to sit home in front of the computer all day
versus talking to business contacts on the phone or meeting them face to face.
Networking for a job is like being a salesman, except in this case the product
you’re selling is yourself. There are few shortcuts in sales - you have to pound
the pavement and pay your dues in order to generate sales. Selling is hard, and
maybe that’s why most of us are not in sales.

One report
asserts that only 10% to 20% of all jobs are ever published. If that is true,
the only way you can find out about the other 80% non-advertised jobs is by
connecting to the right people.

Networking is not rocket science; there are plenty of informative articles
online to provide pointers and insight.

Here are my three personal networking tips.

First, always be prepared with your elevator speech. An elevator speech is
a short - less than 2-minute - concise, carefully crafted description about
yourself. The blurb should be so well practiced that you can recite it in your
sleep. I suggest practicing the speech on strangers, whenever the opportunity
arises, e.g. in the checkout line at the supermarket.

Second, try meeting a different person every day. Easy to do in the first few
months of job search, as you move down your contact list; not so easy 3-6 months
into the search, when you may have to force yourself to continue to reach out
to new contacts.

Finally, know what you want - by that I mean you should have an idea of the
type of company and position you’re looking for. As the search lengthens from
weeks to months it is common to lose sight of one’s goals and start wondering
if you should take whatever comes along. Don’t go with a shotgun approach and
start applying to everything. Stay focused.

Next week - Part II: Tools to Expedite Networking