How to network

Whether you're seeking a job or looking to change careers, you should understand the importance of job networking. Watching this video will walk you through the importance of job networking and why it is so vital.
1. What is Job Networking?
* Job networking is the most important part of any job search. Networking is a simple matter of making contacts with people who know about job information and openings. Anyone you know could be a potential job networking contact. This could range from immediate family to extended family or friends. Contacts may include those sharing membership or employment in one of your current or previous organizations.
* People you have job networked with can find out about openings. They can also get you into interview if you happen to be one of many candidates for a job. Job networking also helps prepare you for interviews through information about a job or a prospective company's culture.
2. Why Job Networking is Important
* Job networking can never be understated in importance. Fewer than five percent of those seeking work find jobs through just submitting applications, responding to job postings and mailing resumes alone. Many job seekers with networking contacts in a company are hired based on the good word put in on behalf of the applicant.
* Most seeking employment find jobs based on some kind of people contact, networking or shared information. Those with poor or nonexistent job networking miss out on important information, leads and tips on how to handle an interview with a prospective employer. As the video establishes, networking is better than not working. It gives you an edge over the competition.