Get Your Job Search on Track

Get Your Job Search on Track This week I am participating in the Jibber Jobber Blog Carnival. Career experts, recruiters, and job seekers are sharing their insights into the following scenario. You just lost your job and you havent stayed in touch with your network. What can you do in the next six weeks to help mobilize/grow your network and what job search tactics will you use to get your search on track. Here are my thoughtsGet organized Get your job search documents,rolodex, outlook contacts,recruiter contacts, etc. in order before you begin making any calls. Job seekers accumulate a lot of stuffdocuments, business cards, phone numbers, etc. quickly, so find an electronic or paper-driven method for organizing information.Make a list Who do you know and how are you connected to these people? Make a list and categorize the list into three groups of people. Group 1 are people in your immediate world; your friends, family, neighbors, accountant, doctor, dentist, etc. Group 2 people are those that have direct conn ections into companies you are interested in. Group 3 people are directly connected to open positions such as recruiters and hiring managers. Once your list is made you can prioritize contacts and strategize who to contact when.Create Visibility If your network is a bit on the lean side, join a professional organization, community group, sports team, volunteer affiliation or online community/blog. Become a giver and share information to create credibility and reciprocity within the community.Attend Events Audit professional and social events that allow you to connect with others and make informed decisions regarding which events to attend. Dont attend one event because its free and decide not to attend another event because there is an entrance fee. Research the potential of each event and try to determine which will give you the most bang for the buck.Get Busy Job search is a full time job and your greatest time committment should be given to networking. Plan to spend 28 hours of y our 35 hour work week building and following up on networking leads.