Professional Resume Writer Declares Networking is Key
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Talk to a professional resume writer or a career counselor and they’ll tell you that you need a high quality resume. You expect that. But you might surprised when they tell you that networking is even more important than the resume.



As an example, consider former President Clinton, certainly a man with a strong resume.
But even more than that, throughout his life Bill Clinton was always a superb networker. Back in the day in1968, while he was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, whenever he met someone new, Clinton took wrote down the names of people he met, always including details about person that he could refer to later.



Clinton said, “I’m going into politics and plan to run for governor of Arkansas, and I’m keeping track of everyone I meet.”



Networking will work for you, too. As a professional resume writer, I always urge my clients that networking is key, just as crucial as the resume. On your professional resume you will probably emphasize strong communication skills. Put those skills to work as you get your job search going. Take advantage of your love of coffee and start setting up meetings with business contacts on a regular basis.



Sure, if you are looking for a new job, you’ll need a resume. You’ll also need to prepare for job interviews. But just as crucial is social networking. Spend your time searching for jobs on websites and in newspapers and you miss 70 percent of available opportunities.



Most jobs are available to networkers if you uncover them. Why? Studies show repeatedly that it is because people do the hiring and people are less comfortable with strangers. Get an introduction to a company and you will start out the job search process with a greater comfort level than you could by entering the process as a total stranger.



Networking also informs you of jobs before thousands of others learn about them. Networking, then, is simply the best way to find a job. Even a professional resume writer knows that it is more important than the resume itself. Logically, then, it’s worth taking the time to learn how to network and how to take advantage of your networking.



From that first phone call to having a cup of coffee with friends to brainstorming about the direction of your career to emailing former colleagues you haven’t kept in touch with, there are many networking approaches that can accelerate your job search.



It’s the old-boy network,” used to be an excuse, sometimes a reasonable one, for not getting the job. Today, great job-hunting means joining the network.



How do you network effectively? Don’t just tell yourself that you’ll do a better job of keeping in touch with friends, former colleagues, school alumni, and former teammates or that you will be more disciplined about handing out your business card at gatherings. No. It won’t work. To advance your job search, you need to actively cultivate and expand the circle of people you regularly keep in touch with. That means a plan.



Create a strong, realistic plan. Write it down and follow it. The words on the page will give you better direction than the vague ideas in your head.



Stay organized. You likely have acquaintances who can lead you to professional contacts and interviews, or just other people to help identify more contacts. Keep track of these individuals using a written routine and calendar. Include names, phone numbers, email addresses, and—critically—descriptions of how you plan to keep in touch.



Develop a schedule for contacting people. You may be comfortable calling some friends several times a week, while others you might contact weekly by phone or email or even less often. Be consistent. People will be happy to talk over a cup of coffee.



Keep track of your outreach. After each phone call, jot down any notions and prospects generated during the call.



Take if from one professional resume writer: Networking won’t get you elected president but it may get you into the office suite you desire.