Blog Post: Job Search Networking "Starter Kit"

If you are just getting started on your job search, many people will tell you the most effective means for finding your next job will be through networking, and the experts will generally agree. They may also suggest you start with friends & family to get comfortable and build your confidence. In addition, you may want to participate in a job search support group on a regular basis to practice networking in a safe environment. Ultimately however, one must network with people who work for companies you want to work for, who can introduce you to the people who can hire you.

You know where to find friends and family, but how do you find a job search support group? Where do you go to network with the people who work for companies you want work for? Fortunately, there are many professional associations, business functions, and social activities in the Tampa Bay area. For example, there are more than 25 local job search support groups. One such group is Your Career Calling (www.YourCareerCalling.org), providing career support, education and accountability for the unemployed, under-employed, and career changers.

Again, how do you find these venues when you are new to networking? If you are reading this blog you have already found a good source for events going on in the Tampa Bay area. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Click on the "Events" tab of the Jobing.com home page for events to fill up your networking calendar. The direct URL is http://tampabay.jobing.com/events.
• Go to http://events.linkedin.com/ to search LinkedIn Events.  Enter "Tampa, FL" in the Search Events box and select search. You can also search from your LinkedIn profile.
• For a small monthly fee ($5.00), a listing of events in the Tampa Bay area is provided by  Tampa Options Magazine at www.TampaOptions.com. 
• A free listing of events is available at http://www.meetup.com/ and does not require any membership or subscription.
• Don't forget to ask people you know and meet what organizations they are members of or involved with!

You may find the same events posted in different listings, or you may find certain events posted in only one listing. Therefore, it is prudent to check multiple listings to identify the best venues to meet your networking goals.  There are many other ways to locate events in the Tampa Bay area so please consider these suggestions a "starter kit".