I can't name a half-dozen friends who aren't worried about job security.
It's one thing to watch your employer's profits slide over a period of time, and start checking out career websites as a result. It's another thing entirely to come to work one day and see a sign on the door that says, "Out of business." This is the worst-case scenario for most working people: to be out of work before you've had a chance to prepare.
An Early Start
This article is your wake-up call, with a special plea not to hit the "snooze" button on your job-search networking. We don't know when or whether the pink slip will hit, so we've got to be ready before it happens. In the best case it never will. But who wants to bank on that?
The first thing to do toward building your professional network is easy and free. All you need to do is reconnect with the people you already know, to make sure you can reach them when you need to. Plaxo.com is a free tool that makes reconnection easy. Plaxo will help you download your email program's address book and ask the members of your posse to update their current contact info.
Growing Your Network
The worst time to think about your network is at the moment when you need it. If you're in touch with a couple dozen people when you're not on the job market, you're way ahead of the game.
After Plaxo, the next networking tool in your lineup is LinkedIn. You can set up a free LinkedIn profile in half an hour, download your email address book, and make a few dozen connections to start growing your network.
Remember that stack of business cards sitting in the bottom drawer of your desk? Pull out the stack and add these folks to your Plaxo network. If you already know some of them well, invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn as well.
Ramp It Up More
Now, look around you. Which of your current workmates would you like to have on your buddy list should an unexpected layoff split up your crew? Get contact info from these folks now, so you won't have to scramble for it if the unthinkable happens.
Don't have a Facebook profile? Get one now -- the Gen Y colleagues you most like to banter with will be more likely found on Facebook than anywhere else. Facebook, LinkedIn and bunches of other websites will ask you to keep your networks posted with your hour-to-hour activities. It's a pain to update them individually, but HelloTxt (www.hellotxt.com) lets you update once to all of your networks. Now that you're a well-connected networker, you'll need a hand keeping your tribe in the loop!
Get your networking engine running now, while you've got an employment roof over your head. If you should find yourself unemployed down the road, you'll be very glad you thought ahead and carried an umbrella.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
The first 5 things to do in a layoff
Career lessons you can learn from reality TV
Friend and foe: Dealing with 'frenemies'
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