There are many ways to find opportunities, but 85% of all new jobs are found through NETWORKING. Looked at another way, your odds of being selected for an opportunity are 42 times greater if you are personally referred through networking. That gives you a 4200% better chance!

How do you find personal referrals? By starting with people you know.

1. Make a list of everyone you know — family, friends, people you've worked with, neighbors, people you went to school with, people you go to church with, people you play with, people you do business with, and so on.
   
2. Contact each of these people and use your 30-second resume to let them know what you are looking for. Ask them if they know other people you can talk with who might be able to help you. Do not ask them if they know of a job. If they do, they will tell you. What you want them to do is to give you more contacts.
   
3. Continue networking with each new contact until some of them begin to tell you about opportunities. One of them may even offer you a job. That's how networking works. It works for virtually any kind of job or business opportunity because people know people who know about opportunities.
   
4. Always thank people for their help. Send a thank you note or email in addition to a verbal thank you.
   
5. Stay in touch with people as your search progresses. Let every person who helped you know when you finally land the job or business opportunity you want.
   
6. Be ready to help your networking contacts if they ever ask you to.

OTHER WAYS OF FINDING OPPORTUNITIES

Classified Ads — Take time to scan them every Sunday or find them on-line on Friday or Saturday. Only about 5% of jobs are found through classified ads.

Recruiters — There are two types of recruiters, contingency and retained. Both work for and are paid by employers. The best method of finding a good recruiter is by referral from someone you know. Do not sign any contracts with recruiters or agree to pay any fees. Approximately 10-15% of jobs are found through recruiters.

Career and Job Fairs — Find these advertised in your local newspaper. Job fairs can be a good way to see representatives from many companies in one place and make initial contacts. Before you attend, get prepared by researching the companies who will be represented and deciding which ones you want to see.

Job Support and Networking Groups — These groups can be effective ways of learning information about companies and getting leads and contacts. Attend as many of them as you can. Continue to attend the ones that offer the most help.

Your State Department of Labor — Many states have career centers in key towns throughout the state. These centers may offer career transition seminars, career counseling, jobs databases, career fairs and more. Look in your local Yellow Pages or on the Internet for locations.

"How to Walk Through a Crossroads in Your Career™" and all excerpts © 2008 Crossroads Career® Services, Inc. All rights reserved.  Used by permission. Contents distributed by HisChurchatWork.org > used for non-profit teaching purposes only.

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