Networking is the best way to find your next job. As much as 80% of jobs are never posted because they're filled with internal candidates or referals by current employees. Networking is not necessarily meeting with other job seekers. Networking includes meeting with anyone who could potentially lead to a job.
Austin Area Job Clubs
Other job clubs in the area you should take a look at.
Austin Job Seekers Network has a well structured program for job seekers and a substantial network.
Career Networking Group is a Job Seekers Network partner at the Austin Ridge Bible Church, Bee Caves Campus. If you're traveling from points South, this may be a more convenient option for you.
LaunchPad Job Club tends to be more tech oriented due to its proximity to downtown Austin. Sponsors a volunteer group that does free projects for non-profits called Leap-to-Success.
Houston Area Job Clubs
For Houston based job seekers, or Austin based job seekers looking for their next opportunity in Houston.
JS101 provides job search training through a series of workshops developed by a group of professional career coaches.
Austin Area Networking Groups
Other area groups that promote networking.
Austin Tech Happy Hour
Austin Tech Happy Hour is the place to network with people in the emerging technology community in a relaxed atmosphere. Limited free and early bird discount tickets are available to the monthly get-togethers.
Capital Factory
Capital Factory hosts many entrepreneur and small business oriented groups.
Meetup.com
Supports groups with all interests. Look for groups with similar interests to yours and just go to talk. Someone might know of a job, but even if they don't, taking a little time to focus on something other than your job search will help you de-stress.
- Includes LinkedIn Local Austin Networking, a meetup group to meet other Austin area people who use LinkedIn and want to meet in person.
Network After Work
Professional oriented networking events on a large scale. Ticket price includes your first drink and hors d'oeuvres. Events are typically held at large venues that may also offer other ammenities, like billiards and karaoke.
TechRanch Austin Campfire
Campfire networking is all about connecting you to the larger tech startup community. Campfires gather interesting, accomplished people from across Austin’s vast entrepreneur ecosystem so you can get the introductions, insight, and help you need to move your business forward, while also helping others. If the group is small, you may be asked to introduce yourself, tell everyone what you can offer, and make a request for anything but money from the group. Make your requests big at TechRanch founder Kevin Koym's request.
Professional Organizations
American Marketing Association (AMA)
The Austin Chapter of the American Marketing Association is the recognized source for area marketing professionals. Austin AMA is where marketing professionals can lead, connect and grow.
Austin Technology Council
Promotes the development of new tech businesses and expansion of existing tech businesses in the Austin area.
IEEE Central Texas Section
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for Central Texas, consolidates information on the many local chapters of IEEE Societies and Affinity Groups.
PMI Austin
The Project Management Institute - Austin Chapter, hosts a monthly dinner with 1-2 presentations about project management. Presentations count towards the PDU requirements to renew PMI certifications.
Networking Tools
Adapt.io
Geared towards sales, Adapt.io helps you connect with decision makers at the companies you want to work for.
Hunter.io
Lists people working in a company with name and email address found on the web. Identifies the base pattern for most of a company's email addresses.
karmaPond
karmaPond is a platform to ask a favor from the community at large. It can be a contact person, suggestions on where to look for the jobs you want, for a subject matter expert to help you decide if you want to pursue a new path, or whatever else you need. The more specific the better. This can be a way to network your way into a company when you don't have contacts there on LinkedIn.
Business Cards
You need business cards to be a good networker. Consider printing your own cards at home if you're not sure what direction you want to pursue. It costs a little more, but gives you a lot of flexibility to make changes.
Do not get free cards from on-line sites that are only free because they advertise their own site on the back of your card. Business cards are meant to advertise you, not the company that printed them. Larger on-line sites may offer lower prices, but slower turn-around time. Local businesses may have higher prices, but can sometimes provide cards same day.
Avery Office Supplies
BuildASign
Canva
Deluxe
GotPrint
Office Depot
Printology
PSPrint
Staples
VistaPrint
Blogging
Starting a blog can help you build credibility in your field of expertise.
Blogging.com has a How To guide to setting up your own blogand an article on Freelance Writing Resources to help with your writing.
Veed.io offers on-line video editing for social media and/or vlogging.
Motionbox offers an online video editing tool to create videos with a single click, add subtitles, Youtube to MP3, convert podcast to video, video translation and more.