Networking for Ex-offender Job Seekers
Who makes the best networking contacts? Everyone you know! These individuals may not have immediate job leads for you. But they could have career development advice, or know-someone-who-knows-someone-who-knows-someone with a job lead.
Networking is a crucial element of job hunting because many jobs are never advertised. Employers prefer to interview and hire people referred to them by people they know.
Networking can be especially helpful for job seekers with criminal records because an employer is more likely interview and hire people referred to them by friends, family, or current employees. This includes referrals from job clubs and WorkForce Centers.
What is networking?
Networking is not something only executives do. It's not something only for outgoing, super-confident people either. And it's not just for cocktail parties anymore.
Networking is simply talking with people with similar interests or career goals in the hopes of helping each other with career goals. Family members network with each other when they pass along career advice. Friends network when they share job leads. Coworkers network when they talk about industry trends and company information.
If you have ever received a job lead from a friend or had a conversation with anyone about the job market, then you have networked. Congratulations!
Networking should not be limited to casual conversations, however. You should develop a plan to contact people for ideas, suggestions and information that will help you get job leads.
Steps to forming a job search network:
- Make a list of contacts
- Set goals
- Set up a meeting
- Meet with your contacts
- Follow up after the meeting
