Effective Networking Skills: The Art Of Taking Your Job Search To A Whole New Level

Your network consists of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and former employers. It also consists of your dentist, your barber or hair stylist, your accountant and your local grocery store manager. Networking is not only who you know, but who knows you. You may know a lot of people, but how well do they know you ? especially in terms of your skills, talents, creativity and potential? How familiar are these people with your value proposition -- your unique gifts?

It is your value proposition that differentiates you from the crowd; it is what stands out in the minds of those with whom you are networking. Your value proposition is the cornerstone for all self-introductory communication. It sets the tone. It's how you make your mark. It is how you describe yourself during any networking scenario.

The best way to network is to communicate your qualities to the people you know, so they in turn will know you better. Practice doing this in as concise and clear a way as possible. When you communicate your value proposition in a lasered way, you will be extremely effective.

Networking is never about asking someone for a job. It's about letting people in, and asking questions such as "Who do you know?" and "Who else should I be talking to?" This process can truly mushroom, especially if you don't wait until you are out of work before making contact with people. The results can be quite amazing.

Networking is also about finding out as much as you can about the people with whom you are networking. This serves many purposes. Remembering things about a person the next time you see them makes them feel significant. They will want to do more for you. Secondly, you can begin to connect the dots between their background and your own career objectives. Thirdly, you are building a bridge of trust; your encounter will be viewed as genuine and mutually beneficial, rather than as a manipulative gesture designed just for your gain.

An important part of networking is continuance. You're building a relationship. There needs to be planned follow-up activity and communication. The best way to accomplish this is by asking for their business card and summarizing the action steps you plan to take based on your dialog. Include a follow-up phone call as part of your summary. Once your brief meeting has concluded, send a thank-you note to the person, reiterating your appreciation for their willingness to meet with you, and any planned steps you will be taking.

Networking supports your entire job search effort. As an extremely powerful strategy which accounts for roughly 80% of all job fills, it allows you to get in doors that would otherwise be impossible to enter. You can network your way into potential opportunities that can turn into the right job created just for you. It's a great way to tap the hidden job market!

Networking is about creating relationships which, in turn, creates opportunities. It is about connecting, which builds a network of support that can last a lifetime. Only three ingredients are required:

You will need just a bit of courage to open up a dialog with someone you already know, or someone who was referred to you. You need to be aware of your potential and worth. The final ingredient is caring ? caring enough about the other person to truly be interested in them and to build a connection, to start a relationship. The results will speak for themselves.

Copyright © 2005 TopDog Group All rights reserved.

David Richter is a recognized authority in career coaching and job search support. He has spent many years in recruitment, staffing, outplacement, counseling psychology and career management spanning most industries and professions. David founded TopDog Group in response to the needs of job candidates to have a higher quality of career coaching and support available on the Internet. David understands the mechanisms for success. He has formulated specific strategies anyone can use to secure interviews and receive offers. His extensive knowledge and experience sets David apart in this field, allowing him to offer a wealth of information and a vast array of tools, resources and strategies not found anywhere else. He has shown countless job seekers how to differentiate themselves and leverage their potential to the highest possible level, making a real difference in their careers. David holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. David's website address is: http://www.procareercoach.com

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Google News Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:50:53 GMT GM Is Said to Be in Preliminary Talks With Chrysler (Update2) - Bloomberg BBC News GM Is Said to Be in Preliminary Talks With Chrysler (Update2) Bloomberg - 2 hours ago By Jeff Green Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. is in preliminary talks with Cerberus Capital Management LP's Chrysler LLC about a possible merger or other partnership, people with direct knowledge of the talks said. Source: Chrysler, GM discuss merger, acquisition The Associated Press GM mulled Chrysler acquisition: Huh? BloggingStocks DetNews.com - Right Pundits - Fox 28 - Forbes all 1,000 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:39:15 GMT This week in Apple: New notebooks, new writers, and more Woz - Ars Technica Canada.com This week in Apple: New notebooks, new writers, and more Woz Ars Technica - 3 hours ago By Jacqui Cheng | Published: October 11, 2008 - 09:30AM CT This week's most-read Apple news was all over the map, but in a good way. Don't Buy A Mac Laptop* Washington Post Apple may launch new laptop United Press International Forbes - CNNMoney.com - Computerworld - Macworld all 182 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:43:05 GMT Nobel Peace Prize winner wants jobs for the young - International Herald Tribune BBC News Nobel Peace Prize winner wants jobs for the young International Herald Tribune - 4 hours ago AP HELSINKI, Finland: Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari said Saturday that finding jobs for more than 1 billion young people in the Middle East and Asia will be a major challenge to peacebuilding in the next decade. Ex-President Of Finland Is Awarded Peace Prize Washington Post Nobel Finn Wall Street Journal Voice of America - findingDulcinea - Burlington Hawk Eye all 1,468 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:12:07 GMT Stevens's Reputation 'Sterling,' Powell Says - Washington Post Boston Globe Stevens's Reputation 'Sterling,' Powell Says Washington Post - 14 hours ago By Del Quentin Wilber Former secretary of state Colin L. Powell told jurors in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens yesterday that the powerful Alaska Republican had a "sterling" reputation among the nation's military and political leaders. Reporter's Notebook: Powell Takes the Stand for Stevens FOXNews Powell says Sen. Stevens' integrity "sterling" Reuters CNN - The Miami Herald - ABC News - Anchorage Daily News (subscription) all 2,873 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:13:53 GMT Obama Aims for Electoral Edge, Block by Block - New York Times Sydney Morning Herald Obama Aims for Electoral Edge, Block by Block New York Times - 29 minutes ago Lukas McGowan is focused on getting voters out on Election Day. “Once we register them,â€� he says, “that’s only half the job. Obama thanks McCain for remarks, presses attack Reuters FOX News poll: Obama leads McCain United Press International Voice of America - CBS News - The Associated Press - Washington Post all 2,330 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:21:34 GMT Palin hammers Obama on the abortion issue in Johnstown - CNN Boston Globe Palin hammers Obama on the abortion issue in Johnstown CNN - 44 minutes ago (CNN) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took her message to voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, lashing out at Sen. Barack Obama for his views on abortion. Palin drubs Obama on abortion during Pa. rally The Associated Press Palin Gets Personal On Abortion Issue CBS News MSNBC - New York Times Blogs - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - The Tribune-Democrat all 95 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:06:21 GMT Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn. - The Associated Press ABC News Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn. The Associated Press - 1 hour ago HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Now that the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled same-sex couples have the right to wed, opponents of gay marriage are pinning their hopes on an infrequent ballot question in a longshot bid to block the unions. Video: Connecticut Court Allows Gay Marriage AssociatedPress Conn. Ban On Gay Marriage Reversed Washington Post New York Times - Boston Globe - Reuters - San Jose Mercury News all 1,674 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:41:18 GMT RSStoBlog RSS For Web Pages

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