While attending a local Chamber of Commerce event, an employment support professional finds out about...

Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining relationships with people who can provide information, leads, or referrals for potential employment opportunities1. An employment support professional can use networking as a strategy to identify and access the hidden job market, which consists of jobs that are not advertised or posted publicly2. By attending a local Chamber of Commerce event, an employment support professional can meet and interact with local business owners, employers, and other professionals who may have information about current or future job openings, or who may be interested in hiring a job-seeker that the professional supports. This activity is an example of networking, as it involves building connections and exchanging information with potential sources of employment3. References: 1: Developing peer support in the community: a toolkit - Mind 2: TIES Peer Engagement Practice Guides - Institute on Community Integration 3: Understanding and Configuring MSDP - Cisco Community