Use your network to create your network

There are two truths about a tightening labour market: (1) There are still jobs available; but (2) those jobs are harder to find.  It is times like these that call for innovative job search strategies and I'd like to share with you a clever approach.

I recently heard about a senior manager who was between jobs and decided he needed to expand his network. He asked his mate, who was a wine connoisseur if he'd share his expertise and then organised a wine tasting evening. He invited a number of his key contacts in his network, asked them to bring someone, and invited other people who he didn't know, but wanted to know. 

The result: a small but highly influential gathering of people, a strongly enhanced network, and several job leads to follow. 

A successful job search requires creativity and energy. Think laterally, and put the effort in.