When searching for a job, it makes good sense to take your network into account for conversations and relationships: dialogues with people who can provide insight into job roles, companies and work-related issues.

A conversation with a fellow networker doesn't have to be about a specific job. Often it's about becoming wiser and creating a mutual understanding.

How to improve your luck

Working actively with your network is also a way to improve your luck. Not by talking your way into a job, but by taking deliberate action and looking into the possibilities.

Before being advertised, a position is often available as a job opening. This means that you may become aware of an opening or a need that has not yet been formally described. In those situations, a network can be a direct and effective path into a job.

It doesn't always feel natural to reach out spontaneously to people you don't already know. A methodical approach may be of help in such a case. Not as a fixed recipe, but just to get started and stay on a course.

It may provide comfort to plan the steps.   Such steps will make it easier to contact, follow up on and gain an overview of who you've talked to and what you've learnt from the conversations.

Learn more about advertised and non-advertised positions 

Networking plays a role both in connection with advertised and non-advertised positions.

In case of advertised positions, a dialogue with the relevant people will give you information about tasks, expectations and context. This will make your application and job interview more qualified.

In respect of non-advertised positions, networking may be one way of discovering any openings at an early stage. 
The two approaches complement each other and can be used simultaneously.

Who does it make sense to contact?

Networking does not need to start with new contacts. It may make good sense to begin with people you already know or people who work in relevant fields.

It would also be a good idea to contact people you don't know, but who are carrying out a role or have experience you'd like to learn more about. What matters is not whether you know each other already, but whether your enquiry is relevant, honest and driven by interest.

Networking may, for instance, give you:

• insight into job roles, industries and organisations
• input to describe your own professional skills
• advice on direction and next steps

How to make networking part of your overall job search

Networking is closely related to CVs, applications and LinkedIn.

A conversation may make it clearer what to highlight in your CV. It may provide a perspective for your application. And it may lead to relations that provide access to knowledge and people internally in the organisations.

Find your own approach

Not all your focus has to be on networking to be efficient. The important thing is to find an approach suitable for your personality and situation.

Trying to improve your luck may bear fruit quickly, but it may also build relations and knowledge over time.  Frequently, it is the combination that makes networking an efficient lever in a job search.