As I've thought about this job networking series much of my thinking had a specific desire at it's core. What I mean is a clear and very precise goal with regard to the position you're looking for.

Finding yourself among the unemployed can be quite a shock to the system. It often causes people to rethink their careers and many will consider changing industries, positions and even entire career tracks. There's certainly nothing wrong with this process, but it frequently causes these job seekers to be unable to articulate what type of position they're looking for. This inability to articulate their desires makes it nearly impossible for those in their network to help them because they can't know who to connect them with.

It's important to have a very clear and specific goal when you're looking for a new opportunity for so many reasons. You'll be able to develop the strategy and tactics necessary to attain that goal. You'll be able to reach out to those in your network and make very specific requests that they can actually help with. You can always change your goal as your search progresses, but at each step you need to be as clear as possible with those you're communicating with.

I will likely refer back to this post throughout the job networking series here on my blog. Without this clear vision in place the other job networking recommendations you'll find here will probably not be useful.

You can't cross the finish line without defining where it is.

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com