Here are some quick tips to build your contact list. I think you'll be surprised, when you develop your contact list, about who you actually do know -- and who they know. Recent surveys state that 61 to 85 percent of all jobs are found through networking. And with 80 percent of jobs not being advertised, it's important to build your contact list. With that in mind, let's see who you know:
- Industry providers. Who buys from your company AND who does your company buy from? These contacts can lead to unadvertised openings with your company's clients or vendors.
- Co-workers -- past and present. Be sure you know who will and who won't keep your confidence.
- Service providers. Who do you buy from? Think big. On your list, include people you see only once a year or infrequently: hairdressers, dentists, massage therapists, attorneys, homebuilders, carpet-layers, physicians, etc.
- Family members. List extended family members, in addition to immediate family members. Yes, the third cousin twice removed may know someone you need to know.
- Professional organizations and trade groups. All of them and their members.
- Volunteer organizations (yours and your kids') -- including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church, Rotary, Lion's Club, etc. List them all and their members. You never know how talking with a parent while organizing the Girl Scouts' cookie drive can win an interview for an unadvertised position.
- Personal sports teams and kids sports teams. Expand your idea of sports - bowling teams count here.
- Alumni - past, present, and future. Who doesn't want to help a fellow alumnus, sorority sister or fraternity brother?
Recently I received a call from one client who landed a terrific unadvertised position as a controller. She said, "I just started contacting my clients discretely. One of them passed my resume along to a company president on a Saturday. I got a call at 10 a.m. the same day! After four interviews, I was hired." Because she had such high recommendations from her own clients within her network, she also won a 17 percent raise, performance bonus after 60 days, and a clothing allowance.
This strategy proved extremely effective for one client. She used her teaching soundbite when talking with the professional redoing her carpeting. He ran to his car, came back with a cell phone, and said, "Here. My daughter is the human resources director for that school district and she's on the line." My client landed an interview for the following week.
Bowling paid off for one client. She revamped her communication style to a focused, benefit-laden soundbite and used it during her bowling league event. Now her teammates knew what she did. And one teammate's son was able to help her land an interview. She got the job.
Another client found this strategy gave him inside contacts at his targeted companies. He networked his way in the door, and landed a position as product manager.