Many jobs and work experience opportunities are never advertised. To find out about these requires networking. This involves meeting people and making contacts with an aim to finding out careers information and work experience opportunities. It does not, however, mean contacting complete strangers out of the blue and asking them for a job! You need to be more subtle - concentrate on getting valuable information and on getting your foot in the door.

How should I begin networking?

• Think about the people you already know - friends, family, previous employers - who might be helpful to you in your job search.
• Talk to them about any contacts that they can provide you with. 
• Identify who it would be best to contact within a particular organisation, for example the personnel department or a section manager.
• Research the organisation so that when you approach them, you come across as knowledgeable and interested.
• Consider how best to contact them: a letter might go straight in the bin so how about a phone call or even a visit? Or a letter followed by a phone call?
• Think about what you want from the organisation e.g. work experience, work shadowing, information. A good approach is to start by asking for information about their graduate recruitment and establishing a relationship that could lead to more tangible benefits.
• Once you get speaking to people, try and 'tap' them for as much assistance as you can. Ask them if they have further contacts within that organisation that you can speak to, e.g. recent graduates.  
• Remember: you should be polite and appreciative to all those people who help you out in this way!

What are the benefits?

Networking can help you in the pursuit of a job as well as provide you with invaluable insight and information. It also invariably looks good on your CV - the extra effort you have put into your job search and the impact personal contact can have might get you interviews. Moreover, you may well gain information about vacancies you did not know existed (over 40% of vacancies are never advertised) and obtain clarification about recruitment procedures.

Where can I find contacts to begin networking?

Employer directories

Employer directories in the Student Development Zone can get you started with names, addresses and telephone numbers or you may find it easier to use the Internet. Make your search industry specific where possible (e.g. 'media', 'engineering', etc).

Employer talks

Attend employer talks, presentations and careers fairs at university plus any 'insight courses' that may be running (e.g. Tomorrow's Managers). These are invaluable ways of making an impression - and personal attendance and the commitment attached to it will count for a great deal in most employers' eyes.

Companies advertising vacancies

Companies who are currently advertising their vacancies, or whom you have read recent articles about in the local or national press, can be another useful starting point.

Networking organisations

Some organisations specifically help you to get started with your Networking.

Examples include:

• BraveNewTalent.com which is a new social networking site connecting students and employers; ultimately making the job search more social and giving students the tools to take control of their own careers; and
• www.purplepeeple.com - get noticed by prospective employers around the world.

Facebook can also offer networking opportunities. Examples include:

• HSBC Graduate Careers
• TeachFirst

Further information resources

The Student Development Zone in the Library has helpful materials on networking including:

• Careers guide to Networking