A Guide to Networking with the Help of Outplacement Career Centers

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Many job seekers today simply don’t understand the incredible power that networking can provide them in their job search. A New York Times Survey found that a whopping 64% of job seekers who found employment credited their success to networking. Only 11% found jobs through advertising, 12% through job search firms, and only 4% through Internet job search sites.

Networking is clearly the way to go in today’s job market, and is the only way to truly access the “hidden” market, which is comparatively vast in relation to the small number of job openings that are made publicly known.

Many of my clients, even when they’re made aware of this, tell me that they don’t have enough contacts to effectively network, or that they’re simply “not good at it.” Let’s face it: Networking can be tough for displaced employees, especially young professionals who haven’t had enough time in the workforce to build an extensive list of contacts.

Outplacement Career Centers Help You Network Effectively

The good news is that outplacement career centers can provide a solution and guide you to networking success. They are excellent tools to guide you through the following steps:

  • First, create an extensive list of people who might be able to benefit you in your search. Find anyone whose experience or resources could be useful to you. This includes professionals in your field, or the field you’d like to go into. Anyone who is willing to have a conversation and could possibly point you in the right direction is worth contacting. Friends and neighbors may be in your line of work, or know people who are.
  • Your second order of business should be to set goals for each conversation, and outplacement career centers can coach you through this. Work with your career center to determine how each contact might help you better understand the job market, give you insight into a specific company, or provide advice on getting ahead in your chosen field and making yourself a more desirable candidate.
  • When speaking with a new contact, use his or her name when you introduce yourself. This will go a long way towards establishing credibility. Let the contact know that you’re not there to take up time, and that you’re simply hoping to ask a few questions to get a handle on the current job market. Learn to make it known that you’re seeking employment without creating personal pressure to find you a job. Never ask a contact for a job at this stage. Your goal is simply to establish a rapport and conduct research.
  • An important thing to also remember is that courtesy is key, and will make your contacts more willing to help you in the future. Try to see things from the contact’s point of view. Ask yourself why this person would want to help you, and why you’re seeking help from them in particular. Prepare an answer ahead of time in case you’re faced with this question. Tell them that they were recommended to you because of their expertise in the field, and that you believe they could offer you some insight into your search.
  • Ask the contact to help you make other contacts. One person, even if they can’t help you directly, can often put you in touch with others who can. This will expand your network and clue you in on more opportunities. Growing your network is key to finding and landing a job, and can often result in a contact directly recommending you for a position.

Even if a contact can’t put you in touch with anyone directly, ask for advice about where to find more leads. Perhaps they can suggest companies that may be hiring in your field, or even make you aware of actual current openings.

Outplacement career centers such as Garfinkle Outplacement Services can help you get the most out of your contacts. With experience in landing new careers for displaced employees, they can help you analyze your references and guide you to your strongest prospects.