A pitch providing tips to networking; directed to jobseekers hoping to land a job

1. Networking: The New Hire Source
Everyone has heard, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But in today’s job market the statement has never been
truer.
A study conducted by the consulting firm, CareerXroads, illustrated the importance of networking. The study consisted of
45 companies that employed over 1,800 recruiters and filled over 300,000 job openings. It found that referrals remain the
number one source of new employees, making up 27.3% of all new hires.
LaSalle Network Founder and CEO, Tom Gimbel, says, “Networking, whether online or in person, is a valuable tool when
searching for a job. The key is to remember not to rely too heavily on either one but to strike a balance between the two.” So
get yourself out there in person and on cyberspace.
Old School Networking: Get Personal
With the rising popularity of online social networking, don’t forget about old-fashioned, in-person networking. It may not
be as efficient as simply clicking a mouse or as convenient as doing it from the comfort of your own home, but meeting
people face-to-face creates a personal connection that can have positive and lasting results.
You Have Two Ears, but Only One Mouth
Building a relationship begins with two-way communication. Show sincere interest by asking questions and listening to
answers. This will let the other person know that you are not just trying to use them for finding a job, and it will create
the foundation for a lasting and fruitful relationship. When you do talk, present yourself in a targeted way by providing
information about skills and prior experiences that are pertinent to your desired career path.
Stay in Touch
Follow up with your new contacts by calling them or sending them an e-mail within two days. Ask them to meet you,
possibly for coffee or over a drink, to pursue further advice or opportunities. For the future, keep track of your new
contacts with an address book or spreadsheet, making it easy to stay in touch. Even if it is just a few times a year in holiday
or birthday cards, that person will remember who you are and may offer to help if there is an opportunity tomorrow or
later in the future.
New School Networking: Get LinkedIn
Like any task, you will not be able to use LinkedIn effectively unless you put forth effort first. You can’t create a profile in 2
minutes, have 3 connections, and expect employers to come begging you to work for them. Social media can be a great tool
if you put in the time. A bare or incomplete profile will not stand out, so make sure your profile’s content is both substantial
and relevant.
You Get Out What You Put In
Since your profile is the first snapshot of who you are, make sure it is complete and represents you to the fullest. Give full,
detailed descriptions of past work experience that show off your skills and expertise. Pitch yourself in the summary section,
upload recent presentations using the SlideShare application, and add a professional-looking picture.
Increase Visibility
There are plenty of other ways to increase visibility. Try joining an alumni group or a community of professionals
with a common interest. Pose a question on LinkedIn Answers to spark a forum of discussion on your profile. Give
recommendations so your name appears on their profile. Remember, the more active you are, the more visible you are.
Creating a detailed profile is only half the challenge. In order to network effectively, make your profile easily accessible
by others. Try to anticipate keywords that employers search for to ensure your profile comes up as a top match. In other
words, list keywords in your specialties section to make yourself findable by others.
HIRE. SMARTER. STRONGER.