FAQs Career Job Search

Job Search		FAQ by Category
What's the best way to get a job?		FAQ Home MC Career Services Self Assessment Exploring College Majors Researching Careers Internships Cooperative Education Interviewing Job Search Resumes & Cover Letters Unique Populations ejobs
Many would say the easiest way to get a job is through the people you know. Therefore knowing how to network is one of the most important job search techniques.
What is networking?
Networking is a formal systematic pursuit of new contacts and information in order to uncover jobs that are not advertised. More than 60 percent of good jobs are secured through the networking process. Networking is merely contacting other people and communicating what you want, in order to get the information, leads, or advice to help you land the right job.
What ideas can you give me that will help me establish a network?
Do not just wait to bump into people. Initiate contacts for the sole purpose of networking. Develop a networking list. Make contact with each person on your list. Add names of people you meet or are referred to by your contacts. Set networking goals. Write down specific goals for how many networking contacts you plan to make each week. Regularly check your progress. Always ask if the person knows of anyone else you should meet. Ask if you can use her/his name when contacting the person. Maintain networking files. Keep a record of the outcomes of each contact and important information about the person. Meet in person whenever possible. Let the person know you value their information and professional opinion. Say "thank you” often. Send a thank you letter or card. Set goals for each meeting. Don't just get together and see where it leads; meet with a purpose.
What are some appropriate questions I might ask people in my network?
How do most people break into this field? How did you become interested in this field? What do you think is the best educational preparation for a career in this field? Which part of the job do you find most challenging and why? Do you find this to be a growing field and/or industry? What kinds of changes in the field do you foresee in the future? What personal attributes do you think would help someone to succeed in this field? What experiences have you had that you consider invaluable? Where can I get up-to-date materials on this field/industry? With which professional journals and organizations should I familiarize myself? Can you arrange a tour of your facility? How can I make myself more marketable? Can you recommend other people in the field that could give me more information or another perspective? May I use your name when contacting him/her?
Job search is certainly more than networking. What are some good online job search websites?
America's Job Bank Backdoorjobs.com Short-Term Job Adventures Best Jobs USA Career Builder Network Career Web Career Zone College Grad Job Hunter - Entry Level Jobs for College Students and Recent Grads Cool Jobs Cool Works Federal Jobs for College Graduates Hire Diversity Careers Internet Promises and Pitfalls for Job Hunters	Internet.com Job Hunt Job Hunters Bible Job Options Job Search Videos Job Track Monster NationJob.com Summer Jobs The Riley Guide Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet USAJOBS - United States Office Of Personnel Management