Networking is how many people actually hear about jobs. A Jobvite report found that 18 percent of workers applied for their current position through friends or former colleagues.
Set a few concrete goals before you start. Connecting with three new professionals a week is a workable target. Write down who you meet and follow up every few months so relationships do not go cold.
Start with classmates. They are entering the same job market and hear about openings that are never posted. Alumni are just as useful. A graduate of your program is more likely to answer a message, and many like helping students from their school. The power of alumni networks is one of the strongest tools a graduate has.
Professors have industry contacts and can point you to people in your field. Ask them for advice on your job search, not only for reference letters. Campus career offices run workshops, career fairs, and employer sessions. Use them while you still have access, and check what alumni career services offers after graduation.
At events, ask people about their work and listen. Prepare a few questions in advance so you are not stuck making small talk. Send a short note within a day or two. Online, using LinkedIn effectively for a job search means keeping your profile current and connecting with the people you meet.
Do not treat networking as collecting contacts. The goal is real relationships with people who know your work and will mention your name when an opening appears.
