When you network, keep one thing in mind: always talk to people you don’t think can help you. You read that right: you cannot judge a book by its cover, and you never know if the barista at your local coffee shop or bartender at the local watering hole may be able to hook you up with someone who works at your target company. Be open to the possibility that everyone you encounter is a potential link to your next opportunity and networking will be a lot more palatable.

Here are some places you may not have thought of as networking opportunities:

1. The unemployment office
Just because someone doesn’t have a job doesn’t mean he doesn’t know people who do! Just as you have many skills, suggestions and areas of expertise, so do people you may meet while waiting to file for your unemployment benefits or at a workshop about how to write a better resume. Be generous with your expertise, ideas and resources and other people are likely to return the favor.

2. Recreational events or classes
Whether or not you are employed, it’s always a good idea to attend events where you’ll have a chance to meet new people. If you join a pick-up basketball or bowling league, you may have a chance to get to know new networking contacts who could help you land an interview.

If you think your networking needs a jump start, take a class. It doesn’t need to be something related to work, and you may meet someone new while you learn something new.

3. Volunteering
In addition to being a nice thing to do, all types of volunteering can help you network. You never know when the person next to you serving up the main course at a soup kitchen may be a great contact. While volunteering for a charitable cause is terrific, also consider serving as a volunteer for your professional organization or association. These groups often need people to help out at conferences, and if you introduce a speaker at a national conference, it gives you a chance to meet him or her! Even working the registration table can be a great way to meet people.

4. Places with children and pets
Parents of children and “fur kids” have many opportunities to network. The dog park is a great place to meet people who share at least one of your interests, and if your children are involved in sports, ballet, art class or just enjoy playing outside, you have many chances to meet new people if you take your eyes off your phone long enough to make eye contact with someone. Keep in mind, if you’re the parent who does nothing but complain or starts arguments at little league events, you aren’t likely to win many friends.

5. At the gym
Typically, most of us don’t welcome the opportunity to seek professional contacts while red-faced and sweaty, but the gym can be a great place to network. If you’re really smart, tuck a few business cards in a pocket or in your gym bag and have them at the ready when you work out.

6. Online
You know you can meet new people on all of the social networks, and that LinkedIn is the go-to professional network, but you may be missing some big networking opportunities online. Have you thought about how Twitter can help you land a job? It’s become en vogue to tweet using a hashtag during televised sporting events and other high-interest programs. You can make a new networking contact tweeting praise for your favorite college team or during a televised red-carpet event. Don’t ignore the non-traditional networking opportunities and you could meet a new fan.

7. At the coffee shop
Don’t be one of those annoying people who won’t stop talking to someone while he or she is working, but if you frequent a coffee shop, you may be able to meet some new people, both staff and other customers. Be polite and recognize when someone doesn’t seem to want to talk to you (maybe he or she doesn’t realize the value of networking). Don’t forget to chat up the barista if you go in when it’s not busy.

8. Shopping
If you go to the mall or your favorite boutique, you may be able to strike up a conversation with someone – even in the dressing room. Most people love to be told that they look great in the outfit they are considering, so you have an easy opening.

9. At the hairdresser
Your hairdresser has the opportunity for extended conversations with all his or her clients who likely come from a variety of backgrounds. Don’t miss the opportunity to tap into this potential network.

10. Anywhere there is a line or a wait
As long as you’re not sick, any waiting room can be a great place to network. The post office or grocery store line may also provide good opportunities to have a brief conversation with someone new. If you’re strategic about what you say, it’s possible to begin a networking relationship with a stranger.

11. Wherever people gather
Yes, it’s true: some people have successfully networked at funerals and wakes. You don’t want to be disrespectful or attend such an event with the sole purpose of meeting a particular person, but if you happen to strike up a conversation while fondly remembering a mutual friend or acquaintance, there is nothing wrong with following up later.

When you keep in mind that your potential network is all around you, you’ll be able to break out of your job search rut and be open and available to new opportunities to meet people. Keep in mind: it’s easier to network when you’re dressed for success, so put on something halfway decent, even when you go to the grocery store. And, even with Smart phone technology, it’s always a great idea to have traditional business cards to hand out, even if you aren’t currently working for an organization. Be sure to carry networking cards that make it easy for someone to know how to contact and stay in touch with you.

More advice:

• How to get your friends to help you find a job
• How to convince people to help you with your job search
• Tired of looking for a job? 5 tips to start your own business

Originally posted on AOLJobs.com

The post 11 places you haven’t been networking appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Does that describe you?  I bet that it does about some things.  Hopefully, there are areas about which you can confidently say you know a lot, but for most of us, especially in our high tech, ever changing world, there is always more to learn.  How many are experts in everything?  I would challenge you to find someone who could give you good advice about anything you might ask.

As part of my work for Keppie Careers, I keep a close eye on career and resume trends by reading books, blogs and keeping in touch with my advisory board of professionals in an array of industries.  

When I’m not writing resumes, coaching, blogging and reading, in the spirit of “practice what you preach,” I also frequently meet people for “informational interviews.” I attend Chamber of Commerce meetings, visit close-contact networking groups and seek out an array of networking opportunities.  It is amazing to me how our  need for networking (as entreuprenuers and as job seekers) has spawned a whole industry of people for whom networking is actually their business!

I’ve been to coffee with real estate professionals, a dentist, investment advisors, life coaches, travel professionals, vitamin sales people, photographers and a salesperson trainer, just to  name a few.  It never ceases to amaze me how much we have to share with each other, and the possible “touch points” between our businesses or our networks. 

Taking the time to meet these professionals offers me the opportunity to share information about my business, but more importantly, I have a chance to learn about programs, events and opportunities I might never have considered.  I also try to share something that will help them and offer to be a resource.

In a recession, it is even more important to expand our circles when job seeking. 

Some lessons:

Never underestimate the possibility for really interesting common ground.  Some of the meetings I’ve least felt like getting up at 6 a.m. to attend have been the most productive in terms of what I’ve learned.

Just because someone isn’t in your field doesn’t mean they don’t have useful information for you.  (Or you for them.) Our lives intersect in so many points.  Think of someone you consider least likely to be able to share good information with you for your search.  Meet for coffee.  You may be surprised!

Open your eyes to the opportunities!  Seek out places to meet new people.  Join an organization, a new health club or take a class.  Google “networking opportunities, (your city)” and see what comes up!  Then, don’t just attend, be an active participant.

I attended a great meeting last night.  It’s a networking group for women and is held at a home over dinner.  We all shared information about our businesses and there was time for chit-chat.  It was up to all of us to see how we could help each other.  I could have done my “elevator pitch,” listened to everyone else’s, and left.  That wouldn’t have been networking, though.  That would have been attending an event. 

I challenge you – find a new place to meet people and engage them.  You never know how you might be able to help each other.  Networking, or netweaving, is all about giving and getting.  I was a lot of fun for me to be able to connect several of the women at the event last night to other contacts in their fields, even though we had no obvious professional commonalities. 

Engage – ask questions…be able to explain who you are and what you do.  Don’t underestimate the value of every connection.  Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows something.  Inserting yourself as part of the chain is a great step in the right direction!

Networking sounds too hard? Even if you are shy, you can learn how to be effective at networking!  Keppie Careers will help you.  Need a great resume?  Mock interview?  Contact Keppie Careers.  We advise, encourage and enlighten job seekers and offer a toolbox of practical tips and support.

The post Counter-intuitive Advice: Talk to People Who "Can't Help You" appeared first on Keppie Careers.