Getting your message out, or networking, represents approximately 95% of how people get jobs today, so it is critical to feel comfortable and confident doing it. Regardless of its success in the job search, most people have some fears or are hesitant to use it.
To make networking a valuable part of your search, you will need to be aware of – and work through:
- your perceptions of networking?
- your fears? and why?
WHAT IS NETWORKING (also known as contact development, informational interviewing, the art of schmoozing!)?
- Getting the message out about who you are and what you have to offer people who are likely to hire you.
- Seeking advice, information, referrals and support from others.
- A general or specific exchange of information.
- People connecting with people, linking ideas and resources.
- One person with a need connects with another with a resource and networking begins – an information exchange.
WHAT YOU GAIN FROM NETWORKING
visibility • credibility • name recognition • sales team • mentors, coaches and sponsors • additional Linkedin connections
HOW/WHEN DO YOU NETWORK
- You are already networking all the time – about a movie to see, a restaurant to visit, a vacation or tourism spot, a car to buy and so on. Now, all you are doing is asking questions about target industries and companies you are interested in.
- None of us are born networkers! Networking is an acquired skill!. You make a full commitment to yourself to become a great student of the networking process – and to make it an integral part of your search efforts.
- You talk/connect with people – and build effective relationships throughout your search – with personal/professional contacts, at a variety of group settings, job/career fairs, on the phone and in person and via social media.
YOU AND YOUR NETWORK
Whoʼs in your network? Have you ever thought about your “social capital?” Who do YOU know? Who do THEY know?
What Hiring Managers do you know at your target companies? If no one, who can lead you to these critical decision makers?
Are you “following the trail” – consistently following up with the referrals you have been given – and asking for more referrals from them – and so on? Sometimes the critical piece of information you are seeking will come deep within your network. Too many job seekers quit far too early to benefit from their conversations.
LENGTH OF YOUR SEARCH WILL DEPEND ON
- Willingness/commitment to network
- Quantity of contacts
- Quality of contacts
- Consistency/frequency
- Follow-up/building relationships
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
The job search is about PEOPLE and RELATIONSHIPS. We build effective relationships by talking and connecting with people.
Networking is a very PROACTIVE part of your search. YOU are making things happen – you are taking ownership of your search!
OPPORTUNITY IS SELDOM LABELED – you never know what you will learn or who you will meet.
You never know the IMPACT or INFLUENCE that one piece of information or of a person you will meet. The “POWER OF ONE” is amazing! You never know what one idea, thought, person or resource can do. It might be the unique source of finding an unusual opportunity for you! You will not know until you GET STARTED!
By incorporating networking into your search activities, you maintain CONTROL!! YOU decide WHO you want to meet and network with, WHAT QUESTIONS you want to ask, WHO you want to stay in touch with, follow-up with and so on. YOU are in CHARGE, back in control. With formal INTERVIEWING, THE COMPANY/EMPLOYER MAINTAINS ALL CONTROL – THEY decide if you will be invited to the interview, WHAT questions they will ask you and if they INVITE you back . . . and so on. WOULDNʼT YOU LIKE TO “DRIVE” YOUR SEARCH AND BE IN CONTROL?
Throughout your networking efforts, you will gather a lot of valuable information, some that could help others. You can develop an excellent reputation as the “person to network with” – a valuable resource to others. In essence, you have gone from a job seeker to an “information broker.”
Develop the critical “know, like and trust” factor by enhancing your visibility, credibility and name recognition and from building effective relationships.
MORE NETWORKING THOUGHTS
The unpublished, hidden, informal job market is out there – we just do not see or hear about these opportunities. This “unpublishedʼ market gives you your BEST OPPORTUNITY – it has the LEAST AMOUNT OF COMPETITION. In comparison, the published, visible and formal job market (learn about these through career board postings, company websites, and recruiters) represent the STRONGEST COMPETITION, with the LEAST AMOUNT OF SUCCESS.
You may be one of the best kept secrets around! You need to get your message out – consistently, frequently, and to as many people as possible!
Talk to anyone and everyone possible to get your message out! Continue to gather marketplace information from “insiders.”
Focus on information, not openings! Networking is not job seeking but information seeking.
You want to be on as many peopleʼs radar screens as possible. Itʼs not a question of how many people YOU know, itʼs a question of how many people KNOW YOU!
Every person you speak to can create a ripple effect and can create a bridge to the next person or position.
NOW, LETʼS GET STARTED!!!