Are you sending out resumes and receiving little or no responses?  Are you confused by all the advice surrounding writing resumes and cover letters?  Are you working at a company where the dark cloud of downsizing and reorganization are forming on the horizon?  Have you been in a job search for more than 3 months? Are you working on your 3rd consulting position in the last 4 years and are looking for your 4th?

It is time to put the resume away and start to exercise your professional network.  There are only 3 times that it is appropriate to handout your resume. 1, when it is directly requested. 2, at the actual interview. 3, after you are hired.  Only 20% of available jobs are advertised, 80% are not.  Your target market is the 80% of jobs that are not advertised.  These positions offer the best opportunity and afford you the greatest potential to exercise professional networking to be offered a position. 

On Thursday September 18, 2008 we had our first Opportunity Event.  Bob Pedersen from Goodwill Industries North Central Wisconsin was our host speaker.  This was probably one of the most powerful and informative networking sessions I have participated in over the last 5 years.  Bob shared with us the history of Goodwill and described in great detail the strategic and day to day operations of Goodwill NCW.  Goodwill NCW services 35 counties in Wisconsin with 26 locations.  Last year they had $43 million in sales, $36 million was generated from retail sales of donated goods.  Goodwill employees 1400 people in Wisconsin.

This session was not only informative but also all the participants were able to interact and have positive one on one converstions with Bob Pedersen.