"I just need a resume."

I hear this a lot. And I totally get it. You just want to refresh the document you wrote a while ago, then roll up your sleeves and submit it to employers.

Simple, right?

Guess again. Today’s job hunt is a lot more complicated than it was even five years ago.

Of course, you need a great résumé. Of course, you need to know about job openings, and you need to apply for them.  But simply throwing your documents into an automated tracking system is not the best strategy for finding a job.

Today’s search is multi-pronged. It requires a combination of documented success and connections with people. In other words, your job search has to include networking. This is intimidating to many of us.

Where to begin?

Well, here’s one idea:

Go back through all your old emails, the directory in your phone, and your social media connections. Think about who know, professionally and socially. From church? From a volunteer activity? From your kid’s school? An event you attended? Make a list (Excel is great for this) of everyone you find who is still around and reachable.

Then start reaching out. Call, email, text, etc. Let your friends know you’re looking. You might be amazed at who some of them know.

Reinvigorate some of those old friendships or start new ones. Invite them out for coffee to catch up. Invite them to join you at a community event. Maybe you share an interest in crafting or bicycling or OSU sports.

Find out what people are up to now. As you talk, you can tell them about your search.

Many valuable connections with hiring managers come through people you know (and the people they know). Many great jobs are not advertised. You could find out about one of these!

​But you won’t know where a helpful connection will emerge unless you ask, and today’s a good time to get started.