Finding the right job in a recession - Top Tip # 5

5. Networking - or making contacts.

Networking. The very idea sends shudders down my spine. For anyone even vaguely introverted or shy it can feel like the worst nightmare. Events I go to for work often have informal networking sessions tagged on to lunchtime, where you are supposed to talk to people you don’t know. This is mainly a cue for me to pile my plate high with food and avoid eye contact for an hour. Or find someone I vaguely know and stick with them. Then someone they vaguely know comes along and we start talking about work stuff. Before you know it, I guess I’m sort of networking.

And that’s the thing. Networking doesn’t have to be about glad-handing your way around a party or event in order to worm your way into a job. It’s about talking to people you know (or vaguely know) about what you do, or want to do. It’s conversation with a purpose. And that purpose could be exploring ideas, finding out what a particular job is like, just getting some advice. It could be with your friends, family, tutors, others on your course. Or people you have met through leisure, voluntary work or part-time jobs, previous employers. Or talking to someone at a careers fair or presentation. Networking is not just for middle class over-achievers with pushy parents either, although they are out there and have had it their own way for a long time. You’ll find you know more people than you think. If you’re on Facebook there’s a whole new network for you, too. I’m going to blog about social networking later, but it adds a whole new dimension, with its own etiquette and potential faux pas to avoid.

In tough times you need to use all the tools you’ve got. The Guardian recently said that finding a job was more skill than luck and suggested milking your friends and family for contacts, amongst other things. If that’s too full on, just start talking to them. At least, let people know what your ideas are, so if they do have any relevant information/contacts they can let you know. There’s also some really good advice on networking at direct.gov. Apparently, only 40% of vacancies are advertised, so the rest are going by word-of-mouth or networking. Some sectors (like media and charities/international development) are notorious for this. For some of us, networking is never going to be easy. But sometimes, you’ve just got to put down the sandwiches and speak.