get started networking the super easy way!

If you are like most job seekers, you've been spending a good amount of time every day checking out job openings online on monster, careerbuilder, hotjobs, craigslist (careful!) or even some company websites. Do you realize that you are competing with the vast majority of fellow job seekers?
What if I told you there is a "hidden" job market, that only one out of five job seekers actively pursues? What if I told you that there are several people in your immediate circle of friends and family that know about this job market and are only waiting to help you find out about them?

Well, it's true my friend! There are several surveys that have been done in the past that clearly show that 80% of people go after the "easy" and low hanging "fruit" of open jobs by applying mindlessly and for hours on end through so called career websites and submit resume after resume, only to be frustrated by the lack of responses or the constant "sorry, we found somebody else" messages.

One of the secrets I was lucky enough to learn early in my job search is that networking is the best way to find satisfying new employment. I'm not talking about telling everybody you know that you are unemployed in transition and you need a job, any job, just a job, please! That's the lazy approach, looking for a quick handout and will most likely only cause negative feelings for you, because nobody is helping you, but also for the people you are talking to, because they can't help you, even though they want to. You are expecting something for nothing, or at best hardly anything.

No, I'm talking about networking! Just like a "real" job, you have to put in some effort and sweat before you can reap the rewards. You have to give first and then take. May be you don't even need to take anything, rather you will be given your reward!

So let's make a simple to follow checklist for your first steps into networking:

• Make a list of 10-12 people you know well. They can be your spouse, family members or good friends.
• Ask them the following questions about their previous jobs, whether they are currently employed or not:
  - Why did you choose that kind of career?
  - What prior talents or skills did you need to acquire?
  - What job did you enjoy the most and why?
  - What job did you enjoy the least and why?
  - If you could have any job on the world, what would it be and why?

Chances are you are having a great conversation and eventually you will find someone that has either a career very similar to yours, or one that sounds quite interesting to you. Now you ask this simple question:"

"I really want to find out more about that field or career opportunities within it. Do you know one or two people who I could talk to that can tell me more?"

Hopefully they will be happy to give a few names that you can contact and have the same kind of conversation with. The goal here is not to ask for a job, but to have great conversations, find out more facts about a possible career and to keep on doing the same thing over and over.

You don't need to ask for a job. That will come automatically during the conversation. They will ask you what you are doing and you simply tell them! Just don't use the word unemployed, please! Simply say "I'm currently in transition," then state your profession, give a little career background and what you are currently looking for. Even if you think they already know that information, say it anyways. It makes for great practice and you might even surprise a few people with things they didn't know about you!

Now that you've worked your way down the list of people you are close to, you have enough practice to take it to the next level and talk to people outside your immediate circle. Follow the same principles listed above and pretty soon you will be a networking machine!

Just remember these three secrets of networking the easy way:

• Be personable and genuine.
• Be positive and NEVER mention anything negative during a networking conversation!
• Don't ask for a job, simply ask for information and networking referrals.

I'd love to hear your simple tips and tricks on networking the super easy way! Leave your comments please.