The most effective method of finding a new job is through contacts—the people you already know or those who know the people you already know. These people can include family, friends, schoolmates, business associates, business contacts, social contacts, and church contacts. Personal contacts are the most worthwhile and beneficial source of job leads, because they know you and they might know potential employers. The process of identifying these personal contacts and qualifying them as job search assets is called networking.

Develop categories
As you identify your contacts, it is essential that you identify every individual who can possibly assist you in your job search. Then divide the list into categories. At this point, don’t evaluate their individual abilities; just list the names. You need to use a separate page for each category and list each individual under the appropriate category: current or past employer, organizations where you have worked (paid and volunteer—profit and nonprofit), customers and clients, vendors and suppliers, church, college and educational institutions, social or professional organizations, family, friends, semi-close acquaintances, neighbors and community contacts, other people looking for new jobs, and former work companions.1

Qualify contacts
Once you have completed your lists, you need to qualify the contacts and identify which ones are likely to be the most valuable, sympathetic, or have an interest in you. Then decide which ones would not be negative but probably would not be an asset or would be better to postpone until later. When the contacts have been qualified, call them and set up an appointment (brief appointment) to discuss how you would like them to help you.2

Calling your contacts
Networking is most often done by telephone. The telephone is especially effective because it eliminates unnecessary paperwork and provides immediate results. Phoning has the feel of informality, so many contacts will feel more at ease with you. Except for the phone call to set up a direct interview, your typical approach to most contacts should be one of asking them to help you because of your respect for their experience and knowledge, their position of influence, and their relationship with you. If they consent to help you, determine what kind of relationship they have with those to whom they refer you, and make sure that you can use their names as referrals.

Due to automated phone systems and voice mail, it may be difficult to get through to your contact. Nevertheless, be persistent and patient. If you have to leave a voice message, be brief and give as little information as possible but enough information so that your contact will return your call. Don’t make receptionists or message recipients uncomfortable or put them on the defensive.

Using e-mail
You also can network by e-mail, but be sure your e-mail is clear enough not to be mistaken for junk mail. Be sure to keep an electronic copy of all correspondence. If a particular message brought a desired response, you might want to keep a hard copy also.

Normal Internet etiquette includes a response to inquiries within 24 hours of receipt. Even if the addressee does not observe this protocol, you should. Also understand that typing an e-mail letter in capital letters is not accepted etiquette. Also avoid e-mail slang.3

Using letters
There are times, other than not being able to reach a contact by telephone or as a follow-up to a telephone call, that you may want to write a letter rather than telephone. Letters are generally more appropriate if the contact is a distant friend, an acquaintance but not necessarily a friend, or an acquaintance of your contact (whom you do not know personally). This being the case, there are some guidelines that need to be followed.

• Don’t include a résumé unless you have specifically been asked to do so by the person you are writing or the person who referred you.
• Ask for a brief appointment to discuss things like career opportunities in the industry. Avoid asking to talk to them about employment possibilities unless you know them well enough that you would feel comfortable asking them to speak or refer on your behalf.
• Briefly highlight three or four of your major accomplishments or credentials.
• If this contact is a friend of a friend, a friend of a relative, an acquaintance of your contact, a distant relative, and so on, you should mention the name of your referral, preferably in the first sentence of the letter.

Follow up
Regardless of the results, make sure you always send a thank you note or a thank you letter (a follow-up e-mail is not appropriate unless you send an e-mail requesting a mailing address) to each contact and to each person, company, or business that you contacted and who was referred to you by your contact.

Conclusion
Although there are numerous ways to search for a job, the method that has proved to be the most effective over the years is networking. In essence, networking is getting the word out to your acquaintances and to their acquaintances about you and the objective you are seeking with regard to finding a job. It may not be easy, but with persistence it can be successful.

1 Lee Ellis, The PathFinder, Life Pathways, 2000, p. 71
2 Lee Ellis, The PathFinder, Life Pathways, 2000, p. 71
3 Lee Ellis, The PathFinder, Life Pathways, 2000, p. 73