My daughter gets so frustrated when our home network goes down. She thrives on the use of the internet. Her phone is more important than air to her, but she does not use calls or texts, so the internet is the most important thing. Yes, she has a data plan, but she uses it in a few days, so she needs Wi-Fi. This also applies to our job search.
Defining Our Network
Our job search network is our family, friends, social clubs, coworkers, former coworkers, professional membership groups. Anyone you know or have a connection with can help you find your next job. Years ago, I was looking for a new job and one of my supervisors was transferring so I let him know that I wanted to find a new job. A few weeks later I started working for his wife at a different organization in a totally different role. I do have an unusual person in my network, we are connected on LinkedIn. What makes this an unusual connection is because they were the hiring manager for a position, I interviewed for that I did not get. During the interview they made such an impression on me that I felt I could learn from them. Who knows one day they may have another opening that I can be a candidate for.
Keep Your Network Together & Informed
Basically, try to stay on good terms and connected to as many people as possible. I have connections with former managers and former coworkers from almost every job I have ever had. We don’t talk daily or anything, but we keep the connection alive. The first thing I do when I am looking for a new job is I reach out to my network letting people know. If I am public about it, I put it on LinkedIn and my social networking sites. Get it out there could be someone who knows a hiring manager.