Networking

Over the last twenty years, the U.S. Department of Labor has conducted several studies to determine how people find jobs. They affirm that over 60% of all jobs are obtained through networking and direct contact with employers. This means that those jobs do not appear in newspaper ads, on the web, with placement agencies, or on bulletin boards. This process is often referred to as the "hidden job market." They are discovered through word-of-mouth. An employer fills a position with someone who is already known or creates a job when he or she meets someone who can address a lingering need. Find out through Career Momentum how to advance in your career by reaching key decision makers.

The number of hours per week you spend on your career transition will have a measurable impact on your success. A major outplacement firm recently reported the impact of networking on the length of its clients' job search. The individuals studied were seeking positions with salaries over $50,000. By the normal "rule of thumb" their job search would take at least five months: one month for every $10,000 in salary. Much to their surprise, on average, the individuals who made at least twenty new contacts a week found a suitable position in only three months! Those who made five new contacts each week found a position, on average, in six months. And those who made only two new contacts each week—essentially working only the advertised positions—took a year to find a new position. They found that other factors, such as age and salary, did not significantly alter the result!

To obtain the best return on your time, we suggest that you devote the majority of your time to networking activities.