Here's how you can tap into your network to discover job prospects.

Clarifying your job search criteria before reaching out to your network is crucial for effective communication and targeted assistance. By being specific about your desired role and industry, you not only make it easier for your contacts to help but also demonstrate professionalism and self-awareness. This focused approach can significantly enhance the quality of opportunities and introductions you receive, ultimately accelerating your job search process.

With my career development/career transition clients there is a foundation of curiosity: (1) What are your "musts" and "non-negotiables?" (2) What are you willing to do? What are you not willing to do? (3) Then, get curious about your future: What do you want? How would your experience of life be if you could create your career the way you want? (4) Then identify who you know, or who you need to know.

Doing in depth self discovery work will pay off here - the more clarity you have on what you want (role, company, industry, culture, etc), why you want it and why you'd be a great fit for it, the easier it will be to talk about it to your network. However, I would not advise going out there and messaging people with your CV before building or revamping a connection. This should be the last step, not first!

Reach out to old friends and colleagues: Reconnect with people you've lost touch with. Grab coffee, schedule a callor send a message. - Attend networking events: Industry conferences, networking sessions or even online webinars - attend them all! - Engage on social media: Comment, like, and share posts from your connections. Start conversations! - Ask for introductions: Leverage your connections to connect with people in their network. - Be clear about your goals: Let your network know what you're looking for - a new job, a collaboration, or mentorship. By tapping into your network, you'll be surprised at the opportunities that come your way! So, go ahead - activate your network, and watch the magic happen!

Estamos en un mundo cada vez más conectado. Por este motivo, cada vez es más importante tener una red de contactos, personales y profesionales. Para una empresa, que alguien recomiende a alguien, ya es un valor, por ese motivo, es fundamental, que nutramos dicha red. Por otra parte, que nuestras personas cercanas conozcan nuestra situación (búsqueda de empleo, o cambio profesional) ayudará a que puedan aparecer oportunidades que de otra manera no sabríamos de ellas.

It is interesting to note how many of clients forget about the breadth and depth of their network...People you studied with or "met" on an online course, past colleagues and bosses...and what about your clients, suppliers, associates? Friends and friends' of friends? And then, of course, connecting to entirely new people, online and off line...showing genuine interest in people will do wonders....Be interested and be interesting!

LinkedIn really is the best platform for this, no doubt. Being curious, creative, interested in people, attending events, joining groups, commenting and posting and engaging in discussions....there is so much more you can do on LinkedIn, to both showcase your expertise and raise visibility as well as to develop meaningful conversations that can lead to unexpected opportunities! A lot of my clients have landed roles that way - tapping into the "hidden job market" -finding out about unadvertised opportunities and creating opportunities for themselves!

Attending events is a game-changer for landing your next role. Face-to-face networking opens doors that online connections can't. Here's my strategy: - Attend industry conferences, professional meetups, and alums gatherings with the right crowd. - Craft a flexible pitch that is a concise intro highlighting your skills and goals but can be tailored on the spot. - Be authentic because companies hire people, not just skills. Show your true self and build genuine connections. -Listen actively, showing real interest in others' experiences and needs. -Follow up thoughtfully by connecting on LinkedIn with a personalized message. Remember, you're selling not just your skills but your personality, too.

Events are a fantastic way to meet new people, develop conversations around shared interest and expertise, find out what's going on in the industry, learn about the latest trends and then use that to create novel content, tag people you met and create a sense of shared experience! I suggest you also connect with the organisers, and why not become their next speaker?! That way you reap multiple benefits of visibility, branding, connecting and expanding your network and showcasing your expertise. Get people to come to you and not always the other way round!

Offering value upfront and genuinely wanting to help people in your network is a way forward. The help doesn't have to be something usually expected, it could be words of encouragement, sharing resources or introducing and referring people. This can create a virtuous loop and win-win scenarios for all!

The beauty of today world is that it is relatively easy to connect/ reconnect through the Internet. I find that most people are OK for a meet up/ virtual catch-up if a common interest is shared. Hence, make a habit of connecting with people you meet in your daily work and life. Engage with them whenever you can through helpful comments, insights, etc. If you are not actively networking, join alumni networks and take advantage of built-in camaraderie and trust. Interesting job opportunities are frequently shared in such groups.

Clearly communicate your career aspirations to your network so they can keep an eye out for relevant opportunities. You can also volunteer to help with projects or initiatives within your network to showcase your skills and work ethic, potentially leading to job referrals.

Many professionals overlook a crucial step that can significantly increase their chances of securing a job. Most job openings are never posted on job portals. Companies often try to fill vacancies internally, and if that's not possible, they rely on recommendations before opening the process to the public. Frequently, before posting a vacancy, organizations ask their employees if they know someone suitable for the position. This is the moment when you need to be top of mind for your contacts to receive a referral. Therefore, it is essential to inform your network and contacts that you are actively seeking employment. Anticipating market needs can make a significant difference in your job search process.