Networking for Ex-offender Job Seekers

Who makes the best networking contacts? Everyone you know! These individuals may not have immediate job leads for you. But they could have career development advice, or know-someone-who-knows-someone-who-knows-someone with a job lead.

Networking is a crucial element of job hunting because many jobs are never advertised. Employers prefer to interview and hire people referred to them by people they know.

Networking can be especially helpful for job seekers with criminal records because an employer is more likely interview and hire people referred to them by friends, family, or current employees. This includes referrals from job clubs and JobLink Centers.

What is Networking?

Networking is not something only executives do. It's not something only for outgoing, super-confident people either. And it's not just for cocktail parties anymore.

Networking is simply talking with people with similar interests or career goals in the hopes of helping each other with career goals. Family members network with each other when they pass along career advice. Friends network when they share job leads. Coworkers network when they talk about industry trends and company information.

If you have ever received a job lead from a friend or had a conversation with anyone about the job market, then you have networked. Congratulations!

Networking should not be limited to casual conversations, however. You should develop a plan to contact people for ideas, suggestions and information that will help you get job leads.

Steps to forming a job search network:

• Make a list of contacts
• Set goals
• Set up a meeting
• Meet with your contacts
• Follow up after the meeting

Form a Network

Your network is everyone you know — or should get to know — who can help with your job search.

Because many jobs are never advertised, networking is often the key to getting a job.

Professional networking is creating and nurturing professional acquaintances and friendships. Everyone networks — at school, church, social activities, work and online. Professional networking is using your abilities to make friends and to provide mutual support. You network because you want help with professional and personal goals (e.g., job search) and because you want to connect with and help others with shared interests.

With luck, persistence, and respectful communication, jobseekers that form and nurture strong networks learn insider information such as jobs that are being created or not advertised. And they can use their network for ongoing professional and personal development.

But how do you get started forming a network? Don't worry; even if you've never officially done it before, you can follow these simple tips to successful networking.
Be clear about your job search goals

To get started, think about what you want to say to others about yourself and what you want to know from them.

• What kind(s) of job(s) are you looking for?
• What are your skills and experience that prepare you for these jobs?
• Are you focused on a particular industry?
• Do you want to find a job at a particular company?
• Do you want to look for jobs within certain geography?

Prepare an Elevator Speech

An elevator speech is a clear, concise explanation of what you are looking for in a short amount of time (e.g., about the time you spend in an elevator with someone). It is a good way to communicate what you are hoping to learn from someone in a position to help you. Here's an example:

"Hi. My name is ____________. I'm looking for _________________ in _______. I really like __________________ . I'm good at ___________________."

When using your elevator speech, don't be afraid to ask for help. For example, "Do you have any advice for me? Do know anything about this company? Do you know anyone who does know about ______________? Can I use your name to contact them?"

Make a List of Contacts

Make a list of people who might be good contacts to help you address your job search questions. Find a way to organize the information about them. Start talking with them. These contacts might include:

• Friends, family, neighbors, and church members
• Former classmates, teachers, and professors
• Acquaintances and business contacts, including former managers, supervisors and coworkers
• Referrals from other contacts

Be Prepared and Organize your List of Contacts

Some jobseekers find it helpful to think about themselves as a business. Successful businesses have a business plan including how they intend to manage and market their products or services. In a job search, your skills, experience, and personal strengths are your products or services. Here are some ways to make sure you are creating a good first impression and demonstrating your ability to effectively manage your job search.

• You might create a simple business card that focuses on your target job search titles and promotes your skills and strengths. Make sure to put your preferred your contact information on it. Always have a few in your billfold or purse.
• Organize information about the people in your contacts list in a way that is meaningful to you. Then, track your ongoing communication with them. Some people organize job search contacts in a three-ring binder, tickler file, Excel spreadsheet, or email system.
• Research potential employers to know a bit about them and their organizations before you contact someone who can potentially be helpful to you.
• Set up information interviews in order to research a particular job, organization, or career field. Remember, informational interviews are not job interviews!
• Prepare your resume in case someone asks for it.
• Reach out to others and enjoy yourself!

Nurture your Network

Networking is about conversation and building relationships. You listen and learn about the other person. You think about mutual interests and ways you can support them while they help you. As with any friend or acquaintance, respect their limits regarding the amount and type of interaction. Here are some ways to support contacts in your network.

• Take notes about your conversations and follow up via email, telephone, mail, or text message.
• Send them an article from a trade journal, online newspaper, industry newsletter, or website about something you know is important to them professionally.
• Show concern about their family or personal life. Remember the names and interests of important people in their lives.
• Think about a solution to a problem they discussed. For example, maybe someone you know used an effective service provider or vendor to solve a work issue.
• Stay in contact with people from your past.
• Include them in holiday greetings.
• Let them know about your job search — what's working and in what specific areas you could use help.
• Update them on your family or something newsworthy about a common interest.
• Let your contact know that you appreciate the time they take to spend with you, as well as their knowledge and professional opinion.
• If someone has been especially helpful to you, offer to take them out for coffee or a meal on your dime.
• Once you land a job, thank everyone who was helpful to you. Update your contact information with them.
• Don't lose touch! Professional networking is not just about getting a job, but about ongoing professional development and support.


Expand your network

Looking for additional ways to get your foot in the doors of potential employers?

• Join and get involved in a professional or business association. They are one of the best ways to learn about trends and hidden job markets, and to develop important contacts in your job search and career fields. Professional association and business listings can be found online or at your local library, like this 2008 list of professional associations.
• Research and join social networking websites such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a popular online network of professionals that allows you to connect with potential jobs, colleagues, and business opportunities.
• Contact your college alumni office. Sometimes fellow alumni offer to provide informational interviews for graduates of their institution.



Sources: www.iseek.org/guide/exoffenders/exoffendernetworking.html
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/network.html


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