Wichita State University Career Services

Approximately 60-70 percent of job seekers find their jobs through networking. Contrary to what lots of people think, it is easy to network. One of the students we formerly worked with landed a job through a lead he got at the grocery store. Perhaps his networking experience went somewhat like this.

While waiting in line at the grocery store, Troy said "hello" to the woman behind him and asked how she was. She answered she was really tired because she was having a hard week at work. Troy showed concern and asked what her job was. The woman answered she was a social worker. Coincidentially, Troy had just completed his grad degree in social work and told the woman. She responded her organization had just posted two openings for new grad social workers and Troy should apply. Troy said he would like to and asked how to best do so. The woman wrote the name and contact information for the hiring manager on the back of her business card.

When Troy got home, he looked up the job posting and drafted a cover letter and tailored his resume and sent them to the hiring manager. He also wrote a thank you note to the woman he met at the grocery store who gave him the lead.

There was really nothing to Troy's networking effort. He just struck up conversation. You can network almost anywhere almost anytime.

Network! Get a job--