At times, searching for a job can seem harder than peaking Everest. Writing an exceptionally articulate cover letter, polishing your resume so that it demonstrates that you are the most outstanding employee in existence, and hoping when you click “submit” your resume actually reaches a human being can intimidate anyone.

Experts say we might be making it harder than it needs to be. Rather than spending hours searching through job openings, career experts say we should be spending that time networking. Yes, that ubiquitous act of connecting with fellow human beings can actually help us land a job—even without a cover letter.

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale University report, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. A recent survey by CareerXroads shows that only 15 percent of positions were filled through job boards. The survey showed that most jobs are either filled internally or through referrals.

People do business primarily with people they know and like. Resumes and cover letters alone are often too impersonal to convince employers to hire you.

But, where do you begin? How can you make networking work for you?

Elizabeth Malatestinic, senior lecturer in Human Resource Management at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, says networking takes effort.

“There are right ways and wrong ways to do it. Attending some huge networking event so that you can exchange business cards with strangers is generally a waste of your time, as is trying to build a LinkedIn network with important people you never met,” Malatestinic said.

“Start by getting involved in industry, or even alumni, organizations. Attend meetings and actually get to know people. The best network is built long before you need it, and the smartest way to build it is by doing things for others, not by asking for favors. Share articles that might interest your contacts, congratulate them when you hear of good things happening for them, and have coffee or lunch just to chat, not because you need something. Then, when you eventually do need information or a referral, they will be likely more than happy to reciprocate.”

Career experts suggest that job seekers use a variety of tactics when networking, such as meeting with past and present colleagues, attending professional association meetings, volunteering within the industry and meeting new people as often as possible.

Before you put on your name tag and start shaking hands, here are some tips to keep in mind as you tap into the power of networking.

Prepare.                                                                                                       

Do you know what your ultimate career goal is? If not, networking will be a...........

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https://www.worldjobtrends.com/how-to-land-a-job-by-networking/