For a faster career change, work your netWORK

There has been a major shift in the hiring strategies that organizations are using to hire top talent over the past 12-months that many job seekers don’t know about. The latest studies show that as much as 70% of companies who hired new employees in 2009 hired those candidates who had a referral within the organization.
In other words, if you want to speed up the process of landing your next job, you need to “work your network.”
Who should be in your network?
Make it a priority to get connected and stay connected to people who could hire you, or introduce you to others who could potentially hire you. Get re-connected with past employers, managers, customers, and colleagues.
Also, expand your network by meeting new contacts and attending industry conferences, trade shows, business networking events, and association meetings that target the industry (high tech, health care, etc.), or the job role (marketing, finance, management, etc.) you want. Be sure to block off your calendar so that you can attend at least two events each week.
Another great way to expand your network is by joining professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.com This is a super easy way to get connected to networking groups, industry leaders, and company decision makers. Make sure you create a polished and professional profile that highlights your career strengths, talents, results, and successes.
How can you network in a tactful way?
There is one BIG rule in networking. That is, you never want to give the impression that you’re hungry for a job. Instead, you want to be seen as someone who’s resourceful, knowledgeable, and has a wide network.
Send out personalized notes and e-mails to your network with links to industry news, reports, case studies, press releases, videos, and cool websites that you think may interest them. Offer to write recommendation letters, and introduce them to others in your network. Finally, invite your network to business networking events, and introduce them to movers and shakers that you know.
Career influencers are drawn to those who are resourceful. And when they know about job opportunities they’re more likely to tell you about job opportunities and give you a recommendation. So remember, the goal is to create a pull relationship with your network so that they are drawn towards you (not running away from you!). 🙂
To learn more about the “four types of career influencers” who need to be in your network, and how to network for job leads, referrals and recommendations check out my book, “Career Smart – 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand”. It’s now on Amazon’s Top 10 List for personal branding books!