| Networking is all very well, you say, but what if I don't | | | | AS A JOURNALIST WRITING A PIECE YOU |
| know the right people or I'm not really sure yet what I | | | | WOULD NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT CONTACTING |
| want to do? | | | | THEM. |
| It might be the most effective way of finding a new | | | | So act like a journalist and when you make contact |
| job but without some contacts you really are going to | | | | you are not looking for a job or even going to be |
| struggle. Naturally there are rules to follow when you | | | | talking about yourself - ONLY your interest. |
| start networking but before you get tied up with the | | | | If the journalistic angle is difficult, why not consider |
| rules, think about this: | | | | yourself as an academic writing a thesis? |
| The job you want will be determined by the skill | | | | |
| analysis exercises you should have already done and | | | | 1. Formulate your questions; |
| by your heart-felt interests. | | | | 2. Gather the information; |
| So start by thinking about your interest areas - what | | | | 3. Sort and re-order what you know; |
| jobs might include both your interests and your skills. | | | | 4. Draw your conclusions; |
| Lets say you're passionate about horses, but your | | | | 5. Take action |
| skill-set is in financial management. Why not see if you | | | | Armed with your information, you can decide who then |
| could combine these two into a fulfilling occupation. | | | | to approach to discuss your proposals which are |
| To find out if it's possible you need to speak to people | | | | drawn from your information gathering. Don't forget |
| who may know. These will be people who are already | | | | you've already met these people so now you do |
| involved in the general area of activity that interests | | | | know who to contact; you also know how things work |
| you. | | | | from several perspectives, so you can put forward a |
| But I already said I don't know anyone!! | | | | case to use your skill in the area that most interests |
| In that case you must approach it as a different kind | | | | you. |
| of project. What if you thought of yourself as a | | | | Networking has rules that are no more than the |
| journalist writing a story about the workings of horse | | | | strongest possible guidelines for your effective use of |
| breeders or stud farms. You would need to identify | | | | this most important of all job searching skills. |
| people who are involved: feed suppliers, farm | | | | Learn the rules for effective networking here then |
| managers, the owners and breeders, financial advisors; | | | | start to put them into practice. |
| even people who just ride for pleasure. | | | | |