You stand a far greater chance of getting a job if a company thinks of you first when they need someone, rather than advertising the vacancy externally. Being in the right place at the right time then becomes less a question of luck, and more as a result of your networking efforts.
If you've had the chance to meet and impress decision-makers, your CV becomes a formality, rather than the initial all-important marketing tool. This is especially important for people whose CVs are problematic, or who may be perceived as being over-qualified for a job.
In many of the Live Q&A sessions on the Guardian career forums, building contacts is seen as fundamental to getting your first job, successfully changing career, and progressing in a variety of industries.
Brazen PR advises: "Network as much as possible! Twitter is brilliant for this as all the key people are at your fingertips and are actively providing you with an insight into their world — use it to your advantage. To summarise — stay positive, creatively PR yourself and network where ever you can."
Alison White says: "What has always amazed me about journalism is it feels like such a small world. I've been in jobs and found several people who have done the same postgraduate course as me, who know colleagues from my previous roles or maybe I've had drinks with them while visiting friends who work on a different paper! I think journalists are very good at using contacts to their advantage — of course this is part of the work of a reporter so it's natural they would do the same in their career!
"For example, I studied with 30 people on my NCTJ course who all went on to journalism roles. So if I was looking for a job I could email them all and ask if anyone knows of any vacancies going or ask their advice or pick their brains about an organisation if I was applying to on spec. Once you've got to know some people you can always keep in touch in the hope they might point you towards job opportunities or further work experience."
Neilmorrison comments about publishing: "Relationships and contacts are all important. Making a good impression, getting to know and getting on with people are critical, particularly at an early stage when you have no track record to speak of, but also throughout your career."
How to build contacts
You probably already know a number of people professionally and socially who are in a position to help. Let them know you're looking for an opportunity, and be clear about what type of work you want.
Build your professional network by joining (and participating in) professional and trade organisations. Attend conferences, industry events, and exchange business cards with people you meet. Use LinkedIn and Twitter to research companies and to find people within these targeted companies. LinkedIn offers you a ready-made way to get introductions through the people you already know.
As an example of researching marketing agencies, have a look for marketing agencies on LinkedIn. From there you can target your search more precisely, or just see if any of them show vacancies, or any contacts. My search showed that there was one company which had a vacancy and where I could get an introduction through one of my contacts.
Even if there are no vacancies marked, you can still use the company listing to find out more about the company's expansion plans and so on or use your contacts to ask for a referral to someone inside the company. Searching this way means that any speculative letter is more warm than cold, as you can mention mutual contacts as a way of getting your foot in the door.
To increase your LinkedIn contacts, you'll need to get networking. Join professional groups on LinkedIn, answer questions if you can, join in discussions, then ask for connections once you've proved your worth.
CarlyJ adds: "You might have contacts who can link you up with a meeting; alternatively, it gives you more of a reason to approach them, even speculatively. For example, you could talk about how you were really impressed by a particular campaign and ask whether you could get involved (even as an intern, if you can afford to do this) in their next campaign for that organisation. Reading trade press in the area is another good idea as specialist magazines and websites are full of information about agencies winning new accounts; again this could give you a reason to contact someone, especially if you have a particular insight into the organisation involved."
Social media is useful for finding contacts, but resist the temptation to stay behind your computer. Get in touch via phone or email to arrange meetings. Although it may seem difficult at first to ask for help (especially if you're naturally reserved), remember people are generally happy to help when they can. It's much easier to make the call if you already have a mutual connection or if you've found something interesting about the company to give you something to talk about.
Ways of networking
Internships give you unparalleled opportunities to show off your work skills, and to make contacts throughout the company.
DIPNET says: "Please as many people as possible and make as many friends. Publishing is incestuous and people will talk if you are a great work-placement candidate. Make sure you make the most out of your placement by finding new contacts and make sure you follow up all contacts as soon as you can. Send them an email or give them a ring so they remember who you and make this regular. Networking is a big factor in publishing so I would also advise you sign up to SYP and DIPNET to ensure you are exposed to as many networking opportunities as possible.
PTCOrna adds: "Anecdotally, on our introductory courses, a significant majority tell us they found their first job through a short period of unpaid work experience. Search out the less obvious publishers to write to on spec — it's a people-oriented industry, so start accumulating contacts."
Informational interviews
Use your contacts to meet someone from a company you've targeted. Don't ask specifically for a job but use the occasion to find out more about the company, possible openings, or even names of other decision-makers.
Additionally people are generally very happy (and often flattered) to be approached directly for advice. Make it clear you'd only like half an hour (max) of their time, and be prepared with good questions for them. Follow up with a thank you note, and you'll be remembered as someone who is enthusiastic about the industry, keen to take advice, and respectful of people's time.
Successful networking tips
It's better to already have a network established before you need it. Continue to develop your network even when in employment.
Have a strategy. Careerenergy says: "In the current economic climate, you are unlikely to find many jobs advertised. Those you do come across will attract large numbers of applicants. So the most productive thing you can do is to try to short circuit the conventional recruitment approaches by developing a well-targeted networking strategy.
"Ideally you will be talking to as many people as you can within a community, finding out what opportunities may be coming up in the organisations they work for, impressing them with your commitment in the field and getting introductions to people who may be able to assist you to find the employment you want... all the evidence shows that networking is the most effective form of job hunting, and all the more so in adverse economic conditions."
Reciprocate. Offer to help others by suggesting potential candidates for jobs, passing on leads and sharing information and your network with others.
Keep a record of who you meet and when, and who they are connected to.
Always look for ways of expanding your network. Ask for further contacts when you meet people, and broaden your network into different industries.
Contact people regularly, to make it easier to ask for help when you need it.
Make use of your contacts. TanyadeG advises: "Make better use of the contacts and goodwill you have banked during your jobs — which could lead to you learning about more jobs (perhaps unadvertised) which you would be that much more likely to get because a) fewer people know about them and b) you're coming through a personal recommendation, which is always a good look."
"Go back to everyone you've ever worked with who you feel is rooting for you (did anyone in particular give you lots of support and encouragement?) and drop them a line asking if they know of anyone who is looking for an assistant on a permanent or casual basis. Attach your CV so you can show them what you've been up to since they last saw you. Ask them to forward your details to anyone they know who might be looking for an extra pair of hands around the office for research, assistant work ...
"Working your contacts harder is the one thing pretty much every job-seeker can do better. It won't necessarily land you a job, but if might just lead you to hear about a vacancy that isn't being widely advertised, which is a massive bonus. Don't just rely on advertised vacancies — remember, only a tiny fraction of jobs are advertised. How can you find out about all the ones that aren't?
"Also go to networking events, and ask parents, friends, cousins, if they know anyone who works in the industry you're intersted in. Would they be kind enough to meet you for a coffee, so you can ask what they would do if they were you? The internet is a brilliant resource for jobseekers, but don't forget that people are too."
