How to Connect with Important People, Part 1

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Even though the idea might terrify you, you know that connecting with others can significantly improve your job search results. The trick is to find methods that are comfortable and that you're willing to do. One or more of the following ideas is bound to fit your style.

Create a List of People You Already Know

Most people, when asked, "What about contacting people in your own circle of friends and acquaintances?" quickly jump to the conclusion, "I don't really know anyone or the people I know aren't people I'd necessarily want to involve in my job search." Okay, fair enough...but humor me for a minute. Just for fun, I want you to make a list of people who fit into the following groups, aiming to list at least five people within each category. Just pick up your pen and make a list:

Friends
Family members
Coworkers, past and present
Bosses, past and present
Teachers, past and present
Clients, vendors, or businesspeople you "work with regularly
Members of clubs, churches, or associations you participate in
Other people in your address book who don't fit into any of these categories

Chances are you've just created a list of 40 or more people in your personal circle who might be able to

Provide you a reference.
Give you pros and cons feedback about the organizations on your target list.
Connect you to someone within the companies you're researching.
Suggest other businesses you should add to your target list.
Be on the lookout for job opportunities that fit your career goals.
Give you a boost of self-belief and moral support when you're feeling frustrated with your search.

Down the line, you might decide to link up with some of these contacts, so keep your personal-circle list handy.

Hook into Hobby, Service, and Professional Groups

Like to ski, knit, or whatever? Enjoy volunteering at nonprofit organizations? Pride yourself on keeping up with cutting-edge developments in your field? If so, it's very likely that a group exists that you would enjoy connecting with and that could also help you advance your job search.

Many people initially cringe at the idea of being apart of a group. "I'm not a joiner!" they adamantly say. Yet once they hit upon the idea of a group that seems strongly interesting to them, they're a little more open to the idea.

For instance, one of my past clients is an avid mountain biker, and he was job searching for work as a programmer. When I suggested that he get involved with a professional association of programmers, he wasn't interested. Yet when I offered another idea about joining a club of local mountain bikers, he was open to giving it a try.

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