6 good reasons to mobilize your network in your job search

Need advice on how to maintain your network? Looking for a new job? Contact laura@alphea-conseil.fr

Everyone has a network and if you're not convinced, just sit down and write down in black and white the names of the people who are "familiar" to you. By "network" we mean the people you come into contact with or have come to know in your personal and professional circle, but also in your extra-professional activities. Why use your network of contacts? Because you multiply your chances of landing a job.

Here are the main reasons to mobilize your network in yourjob search.

Build up your address book

After listing your main contacts, the trick is to make word of mouth work. Solicit your family circle, your friends, your extra-professional relations during your leisure time, your former work or study colleagues, members of the same social networks (Facebook, Linkedin...) etc.

Everyone knows someone who knows someone who... and has useful contacts within a company. Mobilizing your network enables you to expand your address book and therefore your job application possibilities. What's more, it allows you to multiply the number of appointments and make yourself known. If a position becomes available, we'll think of you.

Accessing the hidden market

The hidden market is estimated to represent around 70% of job needs, which are not advertised. By mobilizing your network, you'll gather information that will undoubtedly enable you to anticipate your application. Indeed, you may hear someone say:

"Well, they're recruiting right now, or so-and-so is retiring soon and we're going to have to replace him or her."

So you can position yourself even before a job offer is published, getting ahead of your potential competitors.

Benefit from a recommendation

Networking is one of the best ways to get recruited!

Not only can you skip certain steps like the cover letter, but you also take the wind out of the sails of potential other candidates. What's more, you're guaranteed an interview straight away. The famous "I'm from" is the key that will open many doors.

Getting the right contacts

Your network can also come in handy when you don't know exactly who to send your application to, or if you don't know the best way to approach the person in charge of recruitment.

Is it better to email or call?
Is it a good idea to contact the operational or recruitment manager first?
Your "network contact" will be able to advise you on the best process to follow.

Develop your market knowledge

The person in your network also knows the company culture and working conditions better than you do, and will enable you to obtain information about the job, the company, salaries etc.

Even if recruitment isn't on the agenda, meeting members of your network helps to update your knowledge of business sectors, envisaged economic developments and future hiring prospects.

Preserve your motivation

Developing your network allows you to escape from home and break the loneliness you may feel after all those hours spent behind your screen looking for your dream job. In fact, by taking part in job forums and multiplying your encounters at trade fairs and other events, you'll boost your motivation.

So, the advantages of using your network in your job search are not lacking, but don't forget to bring it to life, or you'll fall by the wayside.

You have to maintain your network!

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