The play is based on the theory that any one of us can contact anybody else of our choosing, anywhere in the world, using a chain of contacts which on average contains six people. The theory has been confirmed by a scientific study, which places the typical number of links connecting us all as 5.5.

Six Degrees of Separation has become a slogan for advocates of networking. Because of the small number of connections needed to reach the person we are trying to contact, so the argument goes, we should all invest tremendous energy in building and maintaining our networks.

But there is a flaw in the theory. OK, theoretically it might only take six contacts or so for me to reach a tribesman in New Guinea. But actually reaching him is by no means assured, because I cannot guarantee that all six contacts in my network will call each other and pass on my request for an introduction. If our networking contacts always did as we asked then Osama Bin Laden would have been caught a long time ago.

This is not to denigrate networking as an activity, nor to suggest that job seekers should not make it the chief priority in their campaign. On the contrary, all the evidence shows that more jobs are won through networking than any other activity. But many people find networking an uncomfortable activity and it helps to reassure them of its practical merits using rational arguments, not extravagant claims. We may all be connected by an average of six degrees of separation. But to use that as the reason to network is unrealistic and generates false hopes. Life just isn’t that simple.

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Business leaders no doubt argue that students will earn higher salaries because of their education and therefore should be prepared to contribute more initially. Students will counter that once they enter paid employment they will contribute more to corporate profitability and taxation and therefore should be subsidised. I would contend that both these arguments miss the main point.

Britain already produces a smaller proportion of graduates than many western countries. If the purpose of higher education is to provide a workforce that is better skilled, which seems to be the view of business, then taking financial measures which would discourage young people from going to college would be counterproductive. And if the purpose of higher education is greater than just upskilling the workforce, putting students off education would appear to be even more unwise.

A college education is of course essential for vocational and professional training. But beyond that, even in the non-vocational courses, it provides young people with a holistic, life-centred education. It is an experience they would find hard to obtain elsewhere. And from the perspective of business it equips them with the skills and self knowledge to take effective career decisions. So that with the right professional support (sadly, not often provided by university careers departments) they can identify careers which are right for them, which they will enjoy, in which they will flourish and prosper and hence directly benefit both themselves and the wider economy.

Higher education is the engine of a modern, developed economy, both in terms of skills and personal development. Short term financial pressures may make it difficult to fund. But the benefits of higher education are substantial and essential. The CBI’s proposal is short termist and short sighted. One trusts it will be resisted.

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The report, commissioned by the Chancellor, argues that insurance companies should take ovcer many of the social security activities currently performed by government. This might include the administration and payment of benefits and pensions. Without going into the merits or otherwise of the proposal, it is clear that if accepted, this will be a tremendous fillip for the insurance industry, and is likely to result in the creation of many jobs.

At Career Energy we have seen many people over the past year or so who have lost jobs in the financial service ssector. Although it is clear that many city institutions have recovered more strongly than was expected, and there are report of salaries rapidly returning to pre-recession levels, finance remains a difficult sector in which to find employment, with a growing number of people looking for jobs.

Of course, insurance is not banking, nor capital management, and not every finance professional will be qualified to move into it. But as a sector which already employs over 300,000 people, it is already one of the most successful areas of business and one which appears to have a bright future. If you are looking for a job in finance, it is well worth adding insurance companies to your research list.

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Looking for a job is a full time job in itself. It can be a lonely and demoralising process. And just as, when you are working, taking a break will recharge your batteries and allow you to return to work with gusto, so too taking a break from job hunting during a lean period can re-invigorate and energise you. But there is always this nagging concern for the job hunter that you should be doing more, that you dare not relax your job hunt in case the ideal opportunity comes along and you miss it.

Which is why at Career Energy we encourage our job seeking clients to take proper, structured holidays. Take your mind off job hunting altogether. Even if you can’t afford to go away, a week or two doing something that is not part of your normal routine can make all the difference when you return to your job search.

What of the opportunity that you fear you may miss? Well yes, you might miss one. But the chances are that you won’t because the job market is going to be quiet now until September. And even if you do miss an opportunity, there will be another. There always is.

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So what do you do? Well, even in the best of times most jobs are found through word of mouth, so you need to think about who you know who you should be talking to. But remember, you are not asking people favours, that’s embarrassing for you and for them. Networking is all about gathering information- asking people if you can have a chat about what is going on in their company, or about the work they do, or whatever, because you would value their opinion, or advice. It is about extending your contact list by getting your existing contacts to introduce you to new people, and it is about keeping your ear to the ground so that you can uncover new opportunities in your chosen field. Most of all, it is about talking to people in a way that allows you and them to feel comfortable; because if you dont feel comfortable it will never work.

If you would like to discuss your networking or contact strategy with one of our consultants, please give me a call on 0845 226 1616 or e-mail info@careerenergy.co.uk

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