Tawana Wood is a leading resume writer and owner of CountrysBestResumes.com. She has been featured on television, in national magazines and local papers. Ms. Wood has written more than 7,000 resumes for America's top executives.
According to Tawana Wood, Chief Resume Writer and owner of www.CountrysBestResumes.com, networking is the most successful method of securing a new position – well over half of executives find a new job through networking.
"Networking is the art of effective communication and relationship management. A network is a group of individuals with a shared interest. Every time you meet someone new, there is an opportunity to add to your network of contacts. "
Ms. Wood suggests job seekers do the following:
1. Look through your current rolodex and categorize your contacts according to the interests you share with each. Be it, volunteer opportunities, training, socializing etc.
2. As you review your list of contacts, be sure to note the names of companies your contacts currently have relationships with or have done business with in the past.
3. Create a relationship tree and as you meet new people add them to your tree by association and interest.
4. Join networking associations, attend networking breakfasts and luncheons.
5. Volunteer your time. Many nonprofit organizations are supported by Fortune 400 & 500 companies. This may be your way in.
6. Stay current with your industry news. Subscribe to industry publications.
7. When you first meet someone, repeat their name at least three times during the conversation, and associate their name with their personality. When you receive their business card, write down the date, the type of function you met them at and something about their personality. This will prove to be helpful when you organize your contacts.
8. Networking is essentially, relationship management, so cultivate your relationships, call during the holidays, send a card, attend major functions, and stay in touch.
9. Always be prepared should an opportunity arise, be sure to maintain an up to date copy of your resume, make sure it is readily available with a portfolio of your work.
10. Never burn bridges. Gracefully exit challenging situations; you never know when it might come back.
CountrysBestResumes.cm, New York, NY, 800-409-8979
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