“You are not going to find your job solely through an online platform,’’ said Travis Drouin, an Andover CPA who has started professional networking groups in his industry. “It’s rare that a job offer comes purely from an online environment, one-on-one is the best.’’
Networking is more important than ever in today’s ultracompetitive job market, but building connections and using them effectively is a long-term strategy that should span a career, specialists said. Networking begins long before a job search. It not only involves adding new contacts, but maintaining old ones. It could mean coffee with old friends or an occasional e-mail to former colleagues.
“Stay part of the family even if you don’t work there anymore,’’ said Matthew Boyle, president of Strategic Talent, a Tewksbury recruitment firm. “Send them a LinkedIn invite or a holiday card once a year so they can see your kids are growing up. Don’t let any connections die out.’’
Jennifer Rosenberg was a freelance public relations representative in 1999 when she joined Boston Women Communicators, a group of 250 women in the media industry who meet several times a year at the Union Oyster House in Boston or the College Club of Boston. Over the years, she has kept in touch with members through informal coffees, e-mail updates, and dinner meetings.
Last summer, a listing in the group’s weekly e-letter caught her eye: state director for communications at the American Cancer Society in Framingham. Though happy at her job at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Rosenberg was looking for a shorter commute and more flexibility - important for a mother of three young children.
She expressed interest to the founder of Boston Women Communicators, Jane Breschard Wilson, who dashed off a recommendation to the cancer society’s senior vice president for communications, Karen Rouse, a member of the group.
Rosenberg got an interview, and eventually the job. “Jane was the key,’’ said Rosenberg. “I wouldn’t have gotten as quick a reply if I had not been able to say I was a fellow BWC member. It helps to have that introduction.’’
