If you are one of the 12.6 million unemployed people in the United States, nothing is simple in today’s employment climate. This said, a lot of people want nothing more than to help you find a great job. Seriously. These are people you already know, and they already know you. This is not a cold call. These people are friends, family, previous co-workers, neighbors, Facebook friends, or LinkedIn contacts. Have you reached out to each and every one of them? Have you told everyone you know that you are actively looking for work? If you haven’t, how do you expect them to know you need their assistance? They cannot help you (which they really WANT to do) if you don’t tell them you need help.

First, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and looks great. If you don’t have one, get one. Along with this, make sure that you have your profile updated to indicate you are looking for opportunities. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for job seekers; use it to your advantage.

Next, you can do a few quick and straightforward things to make sure the right people see you are actively looking for opportunities. To get started, post a simple note on all of your social platforms. Just post something simple like this:

“After X years with Company Y as a Senior Widget Maker, I’m currently in the position of actively looking for new employment. If you have an opportunity I might be interested in, please drop me a message or an email. If you want to know more about me or my work history, you can check out my LinkedIn profile (provide the URL), or I’d be more than happy to send you a copy of my resume. I’d really love to hear from you. Feel free to share this with anyone you feel might be able to help me. Thanks!”

Add a current professional-looking headshot, and you have a great advertisement to help sell you.

Finally, networking is all about personal contact. Even in today’s COVID-19 world, you can still meet people and talk to them. Wear a mask and be respectful, but get out there. Set up meetings to have coffee with anyone in your field of expertise who is willing to meet with you. Go to them, make it easy. Remember, job seeking is work too. You can’t just sit home and expect results. Sell yourself well and often to anyone that is buying.

Networking will help set you and your skills in front of the people that can help you land the job you want. It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.

Find me on LinkedIn, and let’s network.