So here we sit at the county fair, talking to people about CoosJobs.net and showing them our website and explaining how we do things, and it got me thinking (I do that occasionally, even if it hurts) – Thinking about networking.
          Networking is so much more important than most people realize in a job search. Have you been networking? Networking is not a process of cold calling a bunch of people you don’t really know. Networking is talking to those you do know, letting them know that you are looking and what you are looking for. It’s talking to them about what they know, who’s hiring and who isn’t.
          Networking is an art of building alliances. It’s not contacting everyone you know and saying “Hey, I need you to help find a job!.” Networking starts long before a job search, and you probably don’t even realize you are doing it.
          Friends, acquaintances, your buddy that serves you that latte every morning, your neighbors, and those former co-workers are the best networking resources especially in a market where there are more people out of work than job openings.
          So when you’re out here, visiting at the fair, look around, talk to people you know, talk to friends, and co-workers, stop by and check out the trade show booths (like ours!), don’t force it on them, but make it a part of your answer when they ask “Hey, what have you been up to?” It never hurts to see what someone else knows!