Careers: Networking is not about asking for a job

It is easy to find reasons to stay in your current job.

The economy is still recovering.

Looking for a new job is time consuming.

Your current job isn't really that bad.

Your resume hasn't been updated in years.

And those tedious but required online application systems seem to offer very low odds.

But complacency and dissatisfaction at work tend to impact other aspects of our lives. A new job and maybe even a whole new career - providing it's the right fit, position and company - can help improve your entire outlook.

Knowing how and where to start is often a preventive barrier. So, here are a few ideas:

Learn more about yourself

Start by thinking through projects you've worked on recently. What parts of those projects have you enjoyed most? Or the least?

Think through what you believe to be your strongest skills, then ask others for honest feedback and compare the results. Some companies have formal 360-degree feedback programs, but any comments from trusted colleagues, formal or informal, can be helpful.

Another option is to engage in some over-the-counter assessment. “Now, Discover Your Strengths” is an excellent book by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton.

It includes a link to a web-based software application that helps you identify your top five strengths. It is interesting to compare the software results with your own views and the notes you've gathered.

Use social media

Create a LinkedIn profile, invite contacts into your network, join relevant groups, answer questions and get recommendations. Use Facebook to reconnect with professionals from the past and, if you graduated from a university or college, there likely is an online community.

Social media can play a major part in networking and job search strategy. Remember, though, that you'll also need to have “live” conversations along with your online activity.

Start networking

A recent client of mine was interested in making a career change. He connected with a former colleague over LinkedIn whom he hadn't spoken to in several years.

Several conversations later, the former colleague offered my client a job which nicely complemented his skill sets while also introducing him to a whole new industry.

Chat with friends, former colleagues and fellow parents on the sidelines of sporting events. Have informational conversations to learn about their businesses and career paths.

Leave the door open to stay in touch, and if it feels right, ask that person whom they know in your career area or city.

Networking is not about asking for a job - it's about gathering ideas, asking for advice and creating relationships. It is commonly estimated that between 60 percent to 80 percent of jobs are filled through personal contacts and networking - that's an awfully big number to ignore.

Join a professional association

A professional association - the Society of Human Resource Management, for example - can educate you on hot-button topics within your industry - or an industry that interests you - and familiarize you with industry-recognized certifications. Attending local or national meetings is also a great way to both gain information and meet contacts.

Dust off your resume

Resumes have changed quite a bit in the past 5 to 10 years. Your resume should have a career summary of some kind and focus on accomplishments as opposed to responsibilities.

It also should be targeted according to the job, company or industry.

Find a mentor

Identifying someone who knows you and your work - or is willing to get to know you - can be an invaluable resource. A mentor can serve as a sounding board, provide perspective and also give you impartial advice.

Often the best place to find a mentor is outside your own niche - look for somebody you respect in a different department or even a different company or industry. An outside contact might be better positioned to offer objective insights into relationships, projects or dynamics.

Contact a recruiter

Particularly if you are trying to keep your job search confidential, working with a recruiter can be an excellent way to explore the job market. Recruiters typically focus on specific industries or geographical areas, or sometimes a combination of both.

Find recruiters who will be interested in your background based on their expertise.

Stay organized

Whether you use a spreadsheet, contact database or paper filing system, it's crucial to stay organized. Human resources managers tell stories of candidates they've called for an initial phone interview and the candidate's response is “Which job is this for? I've applied to so many that I can't remember what is open at your organization.”

You can only imagine how far that candidate makes it in the interview process.

Send thank-you notes. Send email or hard copy follow-up notes to people who've talked with you, and include your business card to stay in touch.

Make sure to keep good notes and collect others' business cards so you can correctly spell the person's name and have the right address.

There are certainly risks in looking for a new job or career. But there also are rewards.