When you are actively searching for a job opportunity, every second counts. To make each and every second of your day worthwhile, be sure to focus on landing a job even in making connections with people. Networking doesn’t mean you're sucking up to people in power. It means knowing which relationships are beneficial and work from there. Networking will surely get you hired in no time.

1. Propel Your Career
Forward & Get Hired
Faster With These 5
Networking Tips
Copyright © 2013, Distinctive Career Services, LLC

2. Networking can be the difference between a
successful job search and one that remains
stagnant. Networking can give you a leg up on
your competitors and get you hired faster, even
when
jobs are scarce and competition is at
all-time highs. So how do you turbo charge your
networking results to get hired? Here are 5
strategies you can incorporate into your
networking plan:

3. * Good times, bad
times: Although the first
reaction of most people is to reach
out to those in your network when
something immediate – like a
layoff or a promotion – has
happened, don’t let that be your
only time when you contact
people. Twice each week make
time in your schedule to contact
someone in your network via a
call, email, or text to share
information, ask about their work,
or to simply to say hi. This simple,
social action will keep you fresh in
their minds, and they will be more
likely to help out when you do
need it.

4. * Give back: For networking to
be successful, it needs to be a
two-way street. Therefore, instead
of only asking for help for yourself,
you need to show interest in
others, and go out of your way to
give them help when they need it,
either in person or online.
For example, you can provide
information when they need it,
offer suggestions, answer
questions, or provide referrals.
You will be pleasantly surprised at
how quickly people will respond to
you, and they will more be apt to
endorse you, answer questions
when you have them, or give you
referrals.

5. * Stick with what you know: When you need to turbo charge your
networking right now, sticking with what you know is an efficient tactic.
Therefore, instead
of branching out to seek new networking associates, maintain and improve
the network you already have, become active in the associations to which
you already belong, and resume contact with college alumni or former co-
workers. Starting a topical dialog will be easier, which helps to turbo
charge your networking and helps you get hired faster.

6. * Think quality, not
quantity: It’s great to have a
long list of networking contacts, and
of course the people you know,
people who know people, so
quantity does count, but your
relationships need to be meaningful
if you are going to be successful in
your job search. So when you need
to turbo charge your networking,
focus on the quality contacts in your
list. Make time to strengthen your
relationships with those people who
can really make a difference to your
career now. Include mentors as well
as peers.

7. * Ask for what you want. When
you are turbo charging your job
search, don’t be vague or coy with
what you want with your contacts. Be
direct, and ask politely yet confidently
about what you need and how that
person can help you. It will save time
and energy for both of you. Be sure to
thank the person afterwards, or return
the favor.

8. There are different
strategies you can use
to network your way to
the ultimate job
search goal: getting
hired. But when you
need to accelerate
your networking results
quickly, consider the
tips above. Not only
will they help you get
hired faster, they will
also set the stage for a
longer term networking
strategy that will keep
you in good standing at
every stage of your
career.

9. The Internet’s Résumé & Career Marketing Specialists…Since 1996
www.distinctiveweb.com
resumes@distinctiveweb.com
(800) 644-9694
Copyright © 2013, Distinctive Career Services, LLC
Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-
standing and most respected professional
résumé writing firms on the internet,
Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba
Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle
has empowered thousands of professionals
with résumés that get results and win jobs
fast. Get insider résumé writing tips that you
won't find anywhere else at her website. Go
now to www.distinctiveweb.com