The facts are the facts. Most job seekers are not networking...efficiently. Nurturing your contacts and building new connections has to start before you need it, yet that message still isn't being heard. Many newly unemployed job seekers have no idea where or how to start their job search.
UpMo has compiled two recent surveys that state just this.
The first study highlights (full summary here):
- Sporadic communication: Job seekers only talk to—or email—an average of 8 people outside of their current organization on a monthly basis.
- Failure to expand the circle: Job seekers are reluctant to ask for introductions, with fewer than 4-in-10 (38%) asking for an introduction in the past month.
- Small networks: On average, job seekers have a
network with of just 29 colleagues, defined as peers they have
interacted with in the last 18-24 months.
- Misplaced priorities: Jobs seekers say spend 68% of their time is spent looking at online job postings—and less than one-third of their time reaching out to others.
The second study highlights (full post here):
- Are ill-prepared for the job hunt: Only 3-in-10 feel “very confident” or “extremely confident” that they could use their network to land a job within 30 days if suddenly laid off.
This isn't true for many of the job seekers I know. They have become very active, and I think they will remain active networkers.
Let's spread the word. Let all your employed friends know that networking is the new job search. Start today.
Connections affect a bigger influence in landing a good job. Information is very easy if you have good contacts on your network.
Posted by: Job Descriptions | February 02, 2010 at 12:57 AM