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JOBS AND NETWORKING

Networking is your most powerful job search tool. Approximately 75% of all positions are located through networking. Job lines, human resource departments, company web sites, and word of mouth also play an important role in your finding the opportunity you want to jump start a career in media.

Networking is an effective technique for putting your ear to the rail and hearing about possible opportunities coming down the line. The following web sites provide a variety of tips to help you think about your own strategies for getting in touch with job and career information.

Professionals In Transition (PIT)
The informational interview is technique that facilitates your knowing more about an organization with whom you might like to work. It gets you in the door to talk - but not necessarily ask about a job. It is a way of building a network of contacts.

Networking - A Four Step Process
Networking is a process through which you utilize contacts you have, and those which you develop to assist you in learning about a particular industry or organization

How to Network
There isn't anything complex about networking.  Your simple goal is to try and uncover hidden job opportunities.  Remember less than 25 percent of available jobs are ever advertised.  By networking, you are trying to uncover hidden jobs.  There are two basic types of networking: contacting those you already know and contacting those you sort of know or don't know.

Where to Network:

Some of the best places to network include association meetings, workshops, and other events. Here are three organizations in Portland that may serve as a good place to introduce yourself and get networked.

Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers Portland has a growing independent film community with a strong contingent ofworld-class animators and documentary and experimental filmmakers. AIVP usually screens something as a group, sometimes a completed work, sometimes a work-in-progress and, depending on the needs of the filmmaker, we have some sort of session -- critique, pats on the back, suggestions about marketing or distribution, grousing and commiserating. When/Where: Call for dates and locations. Contact: Beth Harrington, ,

Oregon Media Production Association A non-profit film, video and new media association offering a variety ofservices to its membership. OMPA strives to educate, to inform and to represent the large group of talented individuals who make up the film, video and multimedia industry in Oregon. Portland

Multimedia | Internet DevGroup (MIDG) Design, development, usability and the world of interactive media.Portland.Monthly meetings are scheduled where networking can take place.