Networking - Why Do It?

• You are more likely to be considered for a position if you were referred by a mutual acquaintance than if you tried to approach it “cold.”  The most powerful resume is one delivered by an interested third person.
• "Professional associations are a great resource for getting personal references," says Susan A. Brown, a recruiting manager at Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J. "This is a way to develop an advocate within the company, and it helps you avoid making a cold call."
• Knowing someone within the organization puts you ahead of the competition because you get the “inside scoop.”
• Seeking out people you know to ask for introductions to people you don’t know is a proven method of shortening a job search.  Eventually, you’ll meet someone who will lead you to a contact who’ll offer you a new job.
• Your goal should be to continually expand your network to include fellow job hunters, colleagues in professional organizations, social contacts and people you meet while running errands or shopping.
• Gaining expertise from professionals, who understand the problems you're encountering, will speed the flow of critical information to you, and harness the power of mentoring and networking to help you on your career journey.
• Finding new employment is just one goal of networking.  Just as important is meeting and talking with others.  By asking for help, you’ll receive the psychological support necessary to persevere in your job search.
• You can get a network of counterparts performing similar jobs to share ideas and best practices, making each of you more valuable and desirable to employers.