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Networking

 
 

All the positions advertised in newspapers, journals and on-campus job postings represent only 25-40% of job openings available.The range of employers who post open positions on campus is a very small, specialized sample of the job market. At least 2/3 of the jobs available in the job market are in small companies who normally do not advertise openings and do not recruit on college campuses. This means that 60-75% of jobs lie in the hidden job market. The way to penetrate the hidden job market is through networking. Although you can find a job in the advertised job market, it often takes a lot longer, and you are much more likely to experience high competition and numerous rejections when you focus only on posted job announcements.

What is Networking?
Networking is building relationships with other professionals.Networking takes place in two main forms: Structured and Unstructured.Structured Networking Events include information interviews, professional conference, job fairs, and other professional gatherings. Unstructured Networking Events include social events and gatherings such as parties, weddings, and restaurants, bars where networking is not the main focus. Networking is a two-way street. In order to be most effective, both parties should benefit from relationship.

The Law of 250 -
Every person knows at least 250 other people. Each of your contacts knows at least 250 people. So that's 62,500 at your 2nd level. Each of your 2nd level contacts knows 250 people - and that's over 15,000,000. It is typically not your first level contact that eventually hires you - in fact; you'll probably find that the hiring contact may be 2, 3 or 4 levels deep.

4 Layers of Separation: 
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Who are your "Level 1" contacts?

Neighbors Sorority, Fraternity & Student organizations
Classmates/former classmates      Former Employers & co-workers
Other job candidates Members of your religious congregation
Relatives People who provide services to you
Teammates Friends of parents and relatives
People you socialize with Professional Associations
Recruiters & employers who give presentations on campus. Contacts in the Career Development Center!
FGCU Alumni Former teachers

Networking Tips -

  1. Get involved. Explore your interests, develop your skills, and satisfy your values by joining organizations that do something you care about. Join the student chapters of professional associations and networking groups for a career field that you are considering.
  2. Attend professional conferences and seminars to learn more about a career field and to make valuable contacts.
  3. Make classes count. Be on the lookout for way to give your class projects a real world twist.
  4. Be a leader. Consider taking a leadership role in your school or professional organization.
  5. Connect with people. Faculty member, dean, advisor, administrators and coaches can be valuable sources of advice and guidance.
  6. Get to know the alumni.
  7. Use the Career Development Center.
  8. Shadow a professional to get the information you need to make career decisions or cultivate relationships.
  9. Be an intern.
  10. Volunteer in your community to gain experience.
  11. Conduct informational interviews to obtain information about career fields and work settings.
  12. Stay in touch with your contacts and keep a log of all interactions.
  13. Remember to enlist the assistance of relatives and friends.
  14. Use the Internet to e-network.
  15. Have an updated resume on hand whether you thing you need it or not.
  16. Take advantage of public speaking opportunities or publish an article.
  17. Broaden your horizon. Make an effort to get to know people with whom you wouldn’t naturally associate.
  18. Get in the habit of writing thank you notes.
  19. Network while employed, so you have contacts when you decide to make a change.
  20. Make nametags work for you. Wear name tags on your right side so it’s in line of sight when shaking hands. Add description below your name i.e. “public relations”.
  21. Set networking goals, such as form one contact at least one live contact per day.