The job market is slowly picking up, but many hiring managers are often swamped under piles of resumes and cover letters. However, simple networking can increase the chances of being called back for an interview without having to wait for someone to sift through a mass of paper. According to Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0, networking is key to navigating the human resources (HR) world. Schawbel writes in the Boston Metro that when an applicant becomes associated with a successful person already employed at a company, the chances that HR will quickly pick up their resume is very high. "If you have a special skill, then help someone solve their problem without asking for anything in return," writes Schawbel. "You can get they will reciprocate." Other networking tips that Schawbel says will assist applicants include: genuinly being interested in them, get noticed and find other people who know them and continue networking. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most successful methods of job searching include utilizing networks, speaking directly to the employer and utilizing placement services.  |