Job Search Tips

Let’s talk about face to face networking and how it can be the best tool to end job search frustration.  Face to face networking iss, in my opinion, the most important type of networking for the simple reason that when someone meets you in person you are perceived as real. The odds of making a lasting connection with someone go up drastically when you meet in person.

If you are looking for a job and find yourself sitting at your computer for hours looking through Monster.com job ads, you must listen to what I’m saying. Get out the local paper and identify five to ten organizations that might be a fit for your life situation. Make a list of the organization’s name along with the location and date of their next meeting.

Besides the local paper, another good source of networking organizations is your friends. If you know anyone that is active in the community, ask them if they could recommend any organizations that would be a fit for you.

By the way if you are looking for a job then the best type of organization to join is a professional association related to your career. Don’t worry if there aren’t any, just find one or two organizations that have regular (at least monthly) meetings.

Put the meetings dates in your calendar (you do have a calendar don’t you) and start attending meetings. Here is what you are looking for. Does this organization appeal to you? Is the organization active? Are their enough active members? Are the club’s demographics a match? Can you attend the clubs meetings on a regular basis?

While you are at the meeting, attempt to meet as many people as possible. Keep in mind that you should listen to what others have to say and try to find ways that you can help them. If you can somehow hook them up with a customer you have just established a very strong connection. The idea is to always think about how you can give. When you do this they will feel indebted to you and want to do anything to help you out.

Pick one or two organizations and become an active member. Really invest your time. Attend the meetings and participates in their events. Most importantly find out what their signature event is and join the planning committee.

Attend the next planning committee meeting and identify a job or task that you could take on. Then volunteer for that task and do it. Put everything you have into this task and see it through to completion.

You will quickly gain a reputation as someone who gets things done. This will lead to countless opportunities to participate in events and to meet people.

If you follow these steps you will not be looking for work, people will be looking for you with job opportunities.

Written by Kenneth Lowrey - Get Help With Your Job Search Join Our Free Newsletter!