Network or Not Work

Job Hunting in 2010/2011

Are you out of work, or under-employed? Many of us are these days. Many of us haven't had a formally normal sized paycheck for more than a year. Some of us for more than two years. And even those of us who are still working normally in our career field have found our paychecks and/or benefits cut by 10 or even as much as 20%! Some companies have cut back benefits drastically and at the same time increased employer paid contributions by quite a bit.

And on top of that, a large number of employers have also cut back on the hours they pay employees to work. This all adds up to most people having less take home money than they did three years ago combined with higher bills and less benefits. And that's before we talk about the failure of Congress to extend or make permanent the Bush Tax Cuts.

To make matters even worse, most employers have started using an online application process exclusively. That means that your resume or employment application is filtered automatically by the software they use. In most cases a live person never sees your resume. The software checks to see if you fit the criteria for that particular job by searching for the keywords they are looking for. And then it only prints out the top 2-5 resumes or applications based upon the relevancy of the keywords used.

In other words, getting your resume past the software filters to be seen by a real live person has become as difficult and as much of an art as having a web page that ranks in the top five on a Google search. IF you don't have a degree, and the other people applying for that job do, you don't have a chance of even being seen.

So what's a person to do?

Network.

Network? Yes. You have to find a way past the software filters and HR people who just don't care about helping you out. You have to get to the real decision maker somehow. And since even now roughly 85% of all jobs are not being advertised. As a result, networking is still the best way to find work. If you aren't networking, you might not be working.

You have to show that you are interested. That you have passion. That you are confident. That you are committed. These are the things that potential employers are looking for. Are you willing to work at anything available? Are you able to do a variety of tasks? Are you showing that you are constantly learning new things and improving your abilities?

You can do all of these things by networking constantly with people you know in your profession, church, and community. Add to that social networking sites like Facebook and Linked In. This can give you an ever expanding network of friends and associates that can go worldwide within just a few months if you work it.

Update your "wall" a few times a day with things you are doing or working on. Add your old employers and others to your network constantly as you find them again. Call and talk with each of them to tell them about your job searching activities and to ask them if they might have any referrals or prospects for you. Upgrade your education. Send out thank you cards to those you talk with. Show them you are grateful for their help. Even if you get depressed, which is a normal reaction to sudden job losses, keep showing a grateful attitude.

Try hard to send out at least three resumes per day. Consider alternatives like starting an online business or becoming involved in a network marketing company. There is a reason that both Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki recommend network marketing opportunities. Be willing to take a part time job like driving a school bus or working at a gas station to help out while you are looking.

And don't forget to help others as well. Doing service work for others and spending time with your family are important activities as well.

As you do all these things on a consistent basis, you will have better opportunities than others who fail to do them.

Remember, Network or Not Work. It's your choice.


Cleve Horrocks has been an employee, an employer, self-employed, and an employment counselor for his church. He is currently helping others learn how to market themselves and improve their business building activities. Go to his website www.AttractLeads.info for more information about obtaining leads for your home-based or network marketing company.