Network like a champ.

Networking. Schmoozing. Brown-nosing. Name-dropping. Stalking.

All varying degrees of a process incredibly important to the job search and to business development: making contacts and making use of them.

It wasn’t until I started to network that I really made headway in my job search. Here’s why: most statistics say that only 20% of available jobs are advertised. And the ones that are advertised? You can bet that in this economy they’re getting thousands of resumes, and yours will be a needle in a haystack.

How do you start? Work the people you know. Maybe someone that graduated a year ahead of you, a friend of your aunt, even a friend of a friend of a friend. Take them to lunch, discuss what you want to do, and see who they know.  Next, join a professional organization like PRSA, and join a sub-group based on your specialties. In my case, I joined the PRSA Young Professionals. Attend events that you’re interested in, and try to go either alone or with only one or two people you know, it greatly increases your chance of striking up a conversation with a stranger.

Finally, treat everyone you meet as a connection. Now that you’ve graduated and become an adult (right?), act like one. Happy hours are essential to getting to know co-workers and meeting new people in your industry; they’re no longer great opportunities for a cheap pre-game. In Chicago, you can’t beat the happy hours at ROOF at the Wit Hotel or the Terrace at Trump Tower. Rooftop lounges were made for summer evenings, and Chicago’s business crowd has made these locales their 5 o’clock spot. (Wear business attire to fit in, and get there early if you want a table.)

The Terrace at Trump

Go for the cocktails and the view, but don’t forget to schmooze.