Of the numerous resources available to you in your search for employment, those that provide the greatest return are human resources - the people you know or can meet. In addition to being the most plentiful and costing the least,human resources can be developed and utilized in such a way as to make your job search more enjoyable and more effective.
 Human resources are often misused or neglected by the job hunter - a serious error since they can provide access to over 70% of the job market.

 1. Who to Talk to:
  Family, Relatives, Friends -
  The first people to include in your contact network are family and friends. This group is already supportive of you and interested in helping you. Your family and friends also have friends some of whom may be employers or in other ways be aware of job openings. These people should be added to your network. Once a network begins to develop, you will need to plan some time to properly maintain it.
 Your contact network will expand many times over with each new person you meet. Do not ignore the influence personal contact has on people. your simply being a friend of the family or a friend of a friend may be the ìinî you need to obtain the interview that will get you the job you want.

 2. Teachers, Coaches, and Former Employers
  A good source of contacts may be individuals with whom you have had a prior relationship. Most professors are knowledgeable about their communities and can provide a list of people you could contact. Your contacts may also be able to write a letter of introduction or reference which could provide you with an opportunity to arrange an interview or informal meeting with a potential employer. donít be afraid to ask for information or guidance.

 3. People who have the job you want
  People employed in the field or job that you want are an excellent source of information - either to find out more about a particular job or to refer you  to an employer.

 4. Other Job Hunters
In your search for employment you will meet other job hunters. These people are a good source of current information about job openings and job hunting techniques. Share your experiences - even though your career interests are probably quite  different they may be able to provide you with information relevant to your job search and give you names of individuals you might contact for help.

 5. Businesses listed in the phone book
The phone book is a critical tool in establishing and maintaining a contact network. You can obtain copies of other geographical locations at a business library or at the phone company itself.  You donít need the name of a specific individual, only the knowledge that a position requiring your skills and abilities exists in the company you are calling. Ask to speak to the person who holds that position and request his help. For example, letís say you want to work in construction. You would then call a contracting firm and ask to speak to a crew foreman about the process he would use in finding employment.
 Use the phone book for 2 basic purposes: to develop a list of all the businesses that employ people in your field. And secondly, to get an idea of how many employers there are in a particular geographical area. Once youíve developed your list you can send a copy of your resume with a cover letter requesting to be notified of any suitable openings.

 6. Alumni Groups
The educational community has assembled itself into many different groups and associations. Directories can offer a comprehensive list of contacts who would be pleased to offer assistance to a fellow alumnus. These directories often contain information regarding the employment status of alumni and this information allows you to contact people with similar career interests. Some may actually be employers themselves. If you do not live in the area where your former school is call you schoolís alumni office and ask for the location of the nearest alumni group. Many schools maintain active alumni groups all over the country. Arrange to contact a group near you and ask for their assistance.

 7. Employment Agencies
Employment agencies are usually one of the first places contacted by most job hunters.  They are an excellent source to use after you are sure of your career interests. They are there to act as go-betweens for people who know what they want to do and other people who know what work they want done. It is not an employmentís agencyís task to counsel you or help determine what you want to do for work. Agency counselors work for the employer clients. Placement counselors are not contacts from whom you should expect assistance beyond scheduling interviews with their employer clients.  Theyíll serve you best when you can direct them toward job areas of specific interest to you. They may be best to contact after you have determined exactly what it is you want to do and should not necessarily be considered part of your network.

 8. Local Banks
Commercial banks are the center of the business community. The local banker is thus very knowledgeable about which businesses are growing and will need more employers as well as what new businesses will be building in his area in the future. You may be able to meet a banker and explain that you are looking for a particular type of employment and could use his help. Ask if he is aware of any expansion plans of local business or if any new companies will be moving into the area. This is an excellent way of meeting employers before their hiring needs are communicated to the general community.

 9. Cold Canvassing
Cold canvassing is an unannounced visit made to an employer whereupon you ask for a job on the spot. This is a bold method and has a high potential for immediate and discouraging results. Look at this technique as an opportunity to improve your interviewing skills and informational gathering skills. They may be impressed with your initiative and provide you with the name of several other contacts.

 10. Newspaper ads
You can use the newspaper advertising to determine who would be a good person for you to talk to. Even if you are not qualified to fill a particular position, you can still get the name of a company, address and phone number and the name of a contact person. A phone call would acknowledge the fact that you canít fill the position they are advertising but you may still be a person they are looking for. Following up with a resume and cover letter demonstrates the kind of motivation and self confidence that will get you noticed; and even though an opening may not exist for your skills at the moment, when a job does open up you may be their first candidate considered.

 11. Business Personís Lunch Spot
Find out if there is a place where the people in you field of interest hang out for lunch. This may be non traditional and you must be comfortable approaching new people in a casual atmosphere and carrying on  an informal conversation. Dress as you would for a job interview and see if anyone is eating alone. Ask if you might join them and introduce yourself. have a copy of your resume just in case it is appropriate to leave it with them.

 12. Other Resources to Consider 
  -  Parentís contacts
  - Church
  - Neighbors
  - People you do business with - doctors, dentists, hairdresser, etc.
 

 Maintain Your Contact Network 
  Your contact network should be expanding every day and you must maintain it properly. Names and other information must be organized and stored neatly for easy reference and updating as necessary.
 Points to remember : Keep your list with you; Make it easy for your contacts to help you by being courteous - meet at their convenience; tell them how you learned about them; donít take more than 15-20 minutes of their time ; ALWAYS send a thank you note.

 In conclusion,
Meeting people is the most important ingredient in your job search. Everyone you meet could potentially be the person who hires you or puts you in contact with the person who could hire you. making a favorable impression on these people will assist you in realizing your primary goal : getting a job!!