Research done by the Career Center in 2009 has shown that 60 per cent of job openings in the U.S. are filled not through advertising and recruiter companies but through word-of-mouth or networking. And that is quite understandable: to hire someone via recommendation is both much safer for employers, as they have a reliable reference, and easier, as they save considerable effort in advertising the position and sorting through all the resumes and phone calls. That is why it is essential for job seekers to cultivate an arsenal of contacts or a network which can provide support, information and job leads.

Eight Steps To Create Your Career Network

1. A clear idea of what you want

First, you should think of your strengths and weaknesses, type of job you want to get and types of organizations and industries you are interested in. A clear picture of what you are willing makes job search process much easier.

2. Develop your network

Contact anyone you know: family friends, relatives, alumni from your university, professors, former employers, past and present co-workers, colleagues from professional organizations and even your hairdresser and physician (who through their work have contact to lots of different people). Don’t hesitate to network someone who isn’t directly connected to your goal: this new contact can have relevant friends. Expand the horizon by going out to a holiday gathering or any other party and in a friendly conversation mention that you’re seeking employment. Or you can go to a conference or an association meeting to exchange business cards. Check your university website for career assistance. Always be ready to make a contact, stay open and approachable, you may never know who can be helpful when. Remember that the more distant members of peoples’ networks are often the best source of new job leads.

3. Get prepared

When you talk to a contact you do not usually have time to tell your whole work history, instead there are about 30 seconds to communicate who you are and what benefits your expertise can bring to the company. So make a list of your strong points and accomplishments and practice it until it comes naturally. Then make it easy for your contact and explain what you exactly want: what job you are looking for, ask if your contact knows anyone in that field – if yes, get names and numbers of these people and do not forget to ask permission to use the name of your contact when you introduce yourself to them. There is another way of finding out about job leads – ask your contact for advice and career tips. When somebody offers valuable insight from his or her personal experience, he or she feels important and respected. And everyone wants to feel like an expert.

4. Get organized

Create a database of your contacts to put down who is who, where they work and how to get in touch. You can also add important details of your conversation not to miss anything.

5. Stay in touch

It is crucially important to communicate with your network not only when you have just lost your job but on a regular basis: phone calls, emails, holiday greetings. Do not be afraid to express your current needs to your network in order for them to be able to help you.

6. Informational interviews

Informational interviews differ from traditional job interviews because they have the aim of gaining more information about an occupation and industry and not getting a job. During an informational interview you can talk to people who are currently in the occupation and get an intimate inside view of a job field. You can discuss specific features of the job and how they match up with your own feelings and likings. Such informational interviews can also help you feel more confident during a job interview.

7. Follow up with your network

To maintain relations with your contacts it is absolutely necessary to write a thank you note after meeting with them. Tell your contact how much he or she helped you, mention a particular advice that was especially useful. Remember that everyone likes to feel appreciated.

8. Use the web

There are lots of chat rooms, web forums, mailing lists and social networking sites like LinkedIn which if used properly can help you out. Who to connect with? Browse postings and find someone who is well informed about the topic being discussed, note their e-mail address and look for signature information – what organization they work and in what position. Then contact the person directly and be laconic: identify who you are, point out why you’re contacting this person, mention some of your interests and how they correlate with his or her interests. But do not make one big mistake – do not send this person a copy of your resume! It will spoil everything because while you’re making contact and networking first let your relationships build.

As you can see networking is a little like developing a campaign where a clear picture of what you want and a proper organization of the process are absolutely essential. Remember, it is in your hands, good luck to you!