Casual Networking

That's why casual or informal networking is a great place to start when you want to build a network for a job search. To help you understand how this works let's look at some examples of this informal networking.

Casual networking is effective for finding entry-level and or part time work.

• When our daughter was in high school she found her first part-time job because her father is a frequent customer at the local Ace Hardware store. On one of his many visits to the store he mentioned to the owner in passing that she was looking. The rest, as they say, is history.

• Our son found his first part-time job at a fast food restaurant through one of his high school friends. He found his current job at a locally owned fabrication business through one of our neighbors.

• My former business partner helped her step son find a summer job through one of her tennis team mates.

• My neighbor helped her daughter find work when she mentioned her daughter's job search to her hair dresser. The daughter went to work part-time at the salon answering the phone; sweeping up; washing towels, etc.

Casual networking should not be overlooked by more experienced job seekers either.

• We live near an Air Force base where many military people from all branches of the service retire. I can think of at least four people I know off the top of my head who found their next job through word of mouth hiring.

• I also have a friend who found her next great opportunity through a waitress at a restaurant frequented by local business people. She was a regular lunch time customer at this eatery.

  My friend mentioned she was looking for a new job. Through their long association her server already knew what kind of work she did. The Server mentioned my friend to another of her regulars and, very long story cut short, my friend ended up in a new role.

You too may know someone who found a job through informal networking. The evidence is anecdotal but compelling never the less. If it has worked for others it can work for you.

Casual networking is a great way to get your feet wet if you're intimidated about the need to build a network for your job search. Begin with the people in your current networking contacts and build from there.

If you're still not sure whether networking for a job is for you learn what it is. Then gain more networking for job searches know how. If you do don't be surprised if you find yourself face-to-face with the hiring manager.