5.9 Using Listservs for Networking

What is a listserv?

A listserv is a type of e-mail program that distributes electronic mail to people who have subscribed to the list. The members exchange e-mail (postings) about a particular subject that interests them.

There are listservs for just about any topic you can think of, including listservs related to particular career areas and professions. For example, BC WorkInfoNet operates a listserv which is of interest to people who are career counsellors and career practitioners.

The BC WIN listserv is an open list which means that anyone can subscribe. Although this listserv is especially useful for career practitioners,  job seekers are also members because they find the content useful for their job search. 

Other lists are closed and people can subscribe only with prior approval or if they are a member of the group that started the list.

Listservs for job leads and networking contacts

Depending on where you want to work, listservs that relate to your career area can be a good source of job leads and networking contacts. For example, some professional associations have listservs which allow members to exchange information, job leads, and professional advice.

Use proper "netiquette" on listservs

Listservs are reserved for electronic discussions, for debates and exchanging information about a particular topic. Even if the listserv is about a career area you are interested in, it is usually poor manners (i.e. poor netiquette) to post your resumé on a list or to ask for job leads, unless of course you see that the purpose of the list is to exchange job information.