Research and Networking Strategies

It’s all about Networking

The single most important job skill is networking. This specialized communication tool will take you far in any career. The old adage, "it is not what you know but who you know" is even more important in today’s highly competitive job market than ever. According to the United States Department of Labor and various other studies, more than 70% and as much as 94% of all jobs are filled through some form of networking.

Job search experts advocate networking strategies to tap into the unadvertised job market to find the best jobs. Networking is both an art and a science.

Research! Research! Research!

It cannot be overstated the necessity to plan for your conversation. Do your homework! Find out all you can about the company, the industry, and the person who has agreed to give you 30 minutes of his or her time. If at all possible, research the company, the industry, its benefits, the hierarchy of the organization, and where this individual fits. The Internet is an excellent source for locating free and convenient information concerning all types of companies. The more you know about the company, the more organized and prepared you will seem. You do not want to waste your contact's time.

Know What You Want!

Know what you want out of the conversation. Set goals for the meeting and evaluate whether those goals are met at the conclusion of the meeting. Are you there to brainstorm about how someone with your background can add value to this organization or others in the industry? Are you looking for referrals to other people in that same company? Know what you expect to gain out of your meeting and work to obtain this information.

Career Management Associates career coaches show you how to identify the companies that best match your ideal career fit, and help you to gain access to the decision-makers you need to contact. Through the use of proprietary databases and existing professional networks, you’ll have access to more than 17 million companies and over 20 million executive profiles, current news and leads on internal changes, and the names of specific internal decision-makers. We also provide you with the marketing and communication tools you’ll need to set the stage for a productive networking conversation.