A Simple Checklist To Build A Successfully Network Of "Business Friends" During A Job Search ?

Are you are looking for a job or strategically looking to build a long-term career? If you’re daily attempt at building a network of "business friends" seems to be falling short of it intending objective. That is getting you a job or enhancing your career then it's time to read Tom Denham's blog at the Times Union: "How a networking list can be divided up into 4 categories of people:

1. Hiring Authorities – people that have the power to give you an offer.
2. Job Lead Providers – individuals that can generate job openings.
3. Connectors – people that can open doors to other people that might be either Hiring Authorities or Job Lead Providers.
4. Advisors – contacts that motivate and give candid advice about job searching, the field, your resume and cover letter.


36 Sources of Networking Contacts to enhance your career.


As you may know, networking is the number one job search strategy. One of your initial steps will be to identify a list of networking contacts. You may be thinking, “I don’t really have a network! Where am I supposed to find all these contacts?” It may be a real challenge to generate names, but the list below may help you uncover all the connections in both your personal and professional life.


1. Athletic Teams (ie. Golf League, Soccer Club, Softball Team, etc.)
2. Business Card Rolodex
3. Career Counselors
4. Chambers of Commerce Members
5. Classmates/Alumni
6. Clergy/Houses of Faith
7. Conference Attendees
8. Elected Officials
9. Email Address Book
10. Ex-employers
11. Family (ie. Parents, God Parents, Spouse, Siblings, In-laws, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, etc.)
12. Fellow Job Seekers (Share Leads)
13. Former Competitors
14. Former Co-workers
15. Former Customers/Clients
16. Former Supervisors
17. Former Faculty/Teachers/Administrators
18. Former Neighbors
19. Fraternity/Sorority Members
20. Friends
21. Holiday Card List
22. Lodges (ie. Elks, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.)
23. Mentors
24. NYS Department of Labor
25. Neighbors
26. Private Clubs
27. Professional Associations
28. Professional Colleagues
29. PTA
30. Service Providers (ie. Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, Therapists, CPA etc.)
31. Social Acquaintances
32. Social Networking Sites (ie. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Plaxo, etc.)
33. Staffing Agencies
34. Telephone Address Book
35. Volunteer Activities
36. Volunteer Board Members "

Read more at the:Times Union by Tom Denham


Start Here: Quickly Create Customized Resume Cover Letter