Most job openings are not advertised, hence the saying "it's not what you know but who you know." Chances are you already have a good base network of people in place to help connect you to that hidden job market. Consider all of the people you know personally (e.g., uncle, neighbour, etc.), or come in contact with regularly (e.g., dentist, your children's teachers, etc.), or even briefly (e.g., person next to you in supermarket checkout line).

Make a list of 20+ people you know. Consider the names you have just written.

Do these contacts have:

1. hiring authority (could hire you for the work you want)?
2. job leads (have knowledge of the industry in which you want to work)?
3. ability to refer you to others (may not know field but have many contacts in general)?

Your 2's and 3's can refer you to the 1's. If the people you are contacting do not have hiring authority, don't scare them off by asking them for a job. They still have valuable advice and information to share, including names of other contacts in the industry that may have such authority.

Try striking up conversation with new people you meet during theatre intermission, at a sports event, at the ski hill, or in the airplane, to keep expanding your network.

Remember, networking is not just handing out your business card and requesting assistance. Networking should be reciprocal. It includes learning about others and how you can be of service to them.

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