"Most job openings aren't posted in the newspaper"

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Even if you do network and find out that xxx is hiring, you are almost always directed to the web site to apply via their hr application. From what Research I have done on those systems, they are set up in such a manner to make everyone look like liars, whether you are lying or telling the truth. I'm still not quite clear on the psychological metrics why they do this. For me, it matters not how hard I try to find work, I'm still a lazy bum, in most peoples eyes.

The way I've heard it explained is that people keep in touch with those they've met at work, school, or volunteer opportunities, and later hear from them again or casually bring it up in conversation. That's networking, I guess.

it takes high social intelligence [and high intelligence in general] to network well.

If you still have contacts from school, old jobs etc use them as it is a big part of networking. In my Aspie mind when I was done with something I was done with it. And that included the people involved even if I liked them. HUGE HUGE HUGE mistake on my part that I am paying a large price for. If I could find them and contact now but it would be seen as the crass desperate move that it is. Keeping it touch does not mean you have to be at their family event every week although that would be great if you remained that close. Just keep in contact by emailing them and asking how they are doing every couple of months. Remembering their birthdays and wishing them a nice holiday season. A calendering program is important in this regard especially for weak executive functioning aspies.

If a networking contact gives you a HR website he/she just wasted your time (unless they know somebody in HR). Finding the HR website for a company is just a matter typing in the name of the company and "careers" in goggle (or other search provider).

The whole game is finding and contacting the person who does the hiring or a person who could influence the hiring manager or at least knows them. So the object in networking is to find a person who knows somebody who is doing the hiring in the company/industry job you want and is willing to recommend you. Remember if a person is recommending you he or she is putting their reputation on the line. If you get that far you still have to write or say something like "I am contacting you because John Doe said etc""

Last edited by ASPartOfMe on 06 Oct 2013, 1:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

to network you have to have many acquaintances to begin with. that is the book on the top shelf out of reach for many of us.

Career fairs are one of the best ways to look for jobs. I have been to 3 career fairs. Out of those 3, I got ~30 total calls for interviews, got a great internship, and landed my current job. Before then, I had sent out 500+ applications online/through the paper and not a single response from a single one. I don't even think people look at online applications, I think they just get sent into a massive black hole.

You must have a skill that is in huge demand. I have had the exact opposite experience. I have been to literally dozens of career/job fairs and have never gotten one call. Usually are told to apply on the company's website. But it is just a few hours of your time and it gets you out of your residence and in a professional setting.

Then no wonder I can't network. In school I never really had friends and quit at 16. In the 2 jobs I had I didn't really have coworkers.

There are two things that I think you should do for career fairs. The first is at least one thing on your resume that people can quickly look at and say "wow!"...something that sets you apart from the herd. It can be your GPA, a major accomplishment you made at work, or even a big volunteering project you helped out with (this is a really easy one to do and it really does help).

The second is that you have to try to develop at least a slight connection with the people at the booths you're really interested in. Let them know how excited you would be to work for them, ask them 2-3 questions about the company, and maybe drop one or two positive things about yourself in during the conversation. Gotta be careful with the last one though, it has to be subtle...you don't want to just blurt out "So, did you know I have a 4.0 gpa, managed to save my last company millions of dollars, and volunteer on the weekends to save starving children in Haiti?"

As for networking, I see that as more of something you do after you have a job, than before. When you're working you will get to know people whose words have some weight, so to speak. And if they see that you are a good, dedicated worker, they will be more than happy to put in a good word for you elsewhere.

I have gotten most of my jobs from newspaper ads actually.

People compliment my resumes they just don't call back. Many (not all) people at booths I see just want to collect the resumes. If you take too long on one candidate you are creating a big line then they can't go to lunch. Career fairs for a specific industry are different but they seem to be dwindling in number.

I have been on the employer side of the desk at career/internship fairs. The company I was at had an unusual system for recruiting which is probably why I fit in. We looked at the students majors first. There was only one person that impressed me by what she said but she also had the major we were looking for. She was talking about how most students do not appreciate the opportunities that are given to them. She had a great work ethic for us and has an excellent job now.

I found a couple jobs/gigs through Craigslist