FSS Newsletter :: August 2002

Career Corner :: NETWORKING AND YOUR JOB SEARCH

One thing is for sure when you are looking for work ~ you must advertise yourself! This is what networking is all about. Call, write or personally contact all of your business and social acquaintances. Be specific and tell them what you're looking for and what your qualifications are, and don't be afraid to ask for their help. Most people truly enjoy helping others.

Don't stop after you have contacted the "obvious" contacts. Did you know that even the most unlikely person may know someone who knows someone.....or they may have first hand knowledge of a current opportunity available. This is why networking is so important to the jobseeker.

Make a list of names for the following contacts:

Current and Former Co-workers
Local merchants Religious and civic leaders Customers,
Suppliers or Vendors
Union Officials Friends, Relatives and Neighbors
Old School Acquaintances - students and staff Members of Clubs Professional Organizations or Trade Associations
Remember to do a thorough check in your address book or phone
list for other possible contacts. You can even use your Christmas card
list. Any and all avenues need to be undertaken. The idea is to get as much
exposure as possible with your resume.

If you know a person well, you can call or visit them personally. Be sure and bring a resume. If someone is more of a formal acquaintance, a brief, polite letter would be appropriate.
Begin that letter with reminding the contact of how you know them. State exactly what your qualifications are and ask for their assistance. Follow-up this letter within a few weeks with a phone call.

Even if someone can't lead you directly to a specific opening, he or she may be able to offer assistance in some way. Ask for any general advice or suggestions they might have. If no leads are generated from that discussion, remind them to keep you in mind in the future.

As soon as you do receive a direct lead or referral, follow up on it right away.

It is important to keep a file of any networking that you do. Record dates in this file as to when you first distributed your resume, follow-up calls or conversations, or any other pertinent information from your networking. This will come in handy when it is time to contact someone again with a friendly reminder that you are still in the job market.

Buckeye Career Center Offers Training Opportunities

Don’t Wait Any Longer! Start Your Career Training Now! Financial Aid Available!

Have you lost your job? Is your job leading to a dead-end? Is your paycheck just not making your payments? The job market has changed drastically in the last few years. The job you originally prepared for may no longer exist. It’s time to consider re-training in one of the many new, in-demand fields.

Buckeye offers a variety of new career opportunities. Some programs meet two nights per week for 6 to 9 months. Some programs are daytime programs lasting no longer than 9 months. Why spend 2 or 4 years in school when you could be holding your dream job in less than a year? Consider where you are now. Are you happy going to work? Are you making it
financially? Do you want to be doing the same thing a year from now? Is this what you want to do the rest of your life?

If you answered no to any of these questions, call Buckeye Career Center Adult Education now. Career Assessment, Financial Aid for those who qualify, and Job Placement Assistance are available. Call Barb Chew 330-308-5720 ext. 290 or 1-800-227-1665 today! Buckeye Career Center follows Federal Guidelines for the return of Title IV Funds.