Introduction
Simply put, networking implies speaking with people who can assist you in identifying people and organizations who require your skills. Many people wrongly feel that networking and interviewing are only necessary when they are looking for jobs, but they are an important ongoing process that you should use to advance your career.
Networking
Many people are hesitant to engage in professional networking. You could feel self-conscious about stepping outside your comfort zone to market yourself. You may not feel comfortable starting conversations or meeting new people if you are shy or unaccomplished. Furthermore, you may find the idea of meeting people solely to obtain something from them to be a little disingenuous.
Much of this unease stems from a misunderstanding that networking merely involves being open to forming new connections. According to the BYU-Idaho career services website: “Networking is about building relationships with people without an agenda. It is a continuous process, not a one time event. As you interact with others in purposeful and meaningful ways, your network will expand. Be genuine and remember relationships are more important than whether or not they have a job to offer you.”
If you think of networking as truly creating relationships “without an agenda,” as the quotation above suggests, you can get past your aversion to it as a kind of “self-promotion.” More importantly, you might start to see networking as a way to improve yourself and benefit others. It isn’t necessary for networking to be self-serving. You’re forming a social network of personal and professional acquaintances who can assist one another.
The secret to getting over your dislike to networking is to genuinely care about getting to know others and helping them. From a professional standpoint, if we are interested in a particular line of work, we should find people who operate in that field. We should sincerely care about them, their life, and the work they do.
How People Really Get Jobs
Wouldn’t you hire your friends over strangers if you had a network of friends you trusted and knew would do a fantastic job? You most likely would. In fact, most jobs are filled through networking rather than advertising.
These two infographics indicate that, despite the fact that networking is the most successful way to find work, most people waste their time looking for work through advertisements, which is the least effective method. This graphic also demonstrates how networking can help you access a hidden job market. Only persons linked to a hiring manager’s network have access to this covert employment market. Beyond the people you know, there are people who know other people. This means that in order to make the proper connections, you may need to network over numerous layers.
Networking is obviously important for getting work, but it’s also an important element of being a member of a professional community. A “Me In 30 Seconds” statement is a simple tool you may use to enhance your networking. Statements like “Me in 30 Seconds” are precisely what they sound like. They’re also known as “Elevator Pitches” in professional circles because they’re what you could say in the brief time you’re on an elevator with someone who might be able to help you with your job search.
Not only can you use a Me In 30 Seconds statement in networking events, but you can also use it as an opening statement in job interviews when the interviewer asks, “Tell Me About Yourself.” Having a well-prepared and polished response will help you get off to a good start in your interview. A written version of your Me In 30 Seconds statement could be used as a summary statement for your LinkedIn profile or CV.
The image below outlines the important elements to writing an effective Me in 30 Seconds statement.
One of the reasons this technique works is that it clearly ties what you’re looking for (step 2) with what you’re strong at (step 3), allowing people to quickly figure out how to help you when you ask for help (step 4). The blue box contains examples of several types of questions you could use to look for help.
Managing Your Network
Your network can be divided into two groups in general. The first is your natural or social network, which includes your friends, family, ward members, and those with whom you have social connections. The second category is your professional network, which consists of your coworkers, associates, and others with similar professional interests to you. This section will look at how you can keep both networks healthy.
Social Media Networks
You probably use Facebook and Instagram to keep in touch with family and friends and manage your social network. These platforms may be a strong force for good and a rewarding way to connect with loved ones, but if you’re not careful about what you share, they can also be dangerous to your job.
According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 70% of companies use social media to screen candidates prior to hiring (70% of Employers are Snooping (Links to an external site.)). According to the same survey, 57% of employers are less likely to interview someone they can’t find online, and 54% have opted not to hire someone based on their social media presence. So, what do employers want to see in your social media profiles? The top three things that employers want to see in your social media, according to Workopolis (The Top Three Things (Links to an external site.)):
- More than half of hiring managers (51%) said they’re looking to determine if the candidate would fit in well with the company’s culture.
- 45 percent use social media to explore potential candidates in order to learn more about their qualifications.
- Almost half of hiring managers (44%) want to know if a prospect is innovative.
Employers discovering these positive qualities in your social media can increase your chances of getting an interview. Employers, on the other hand, are looking for red flags, or reasons not to hire you. With increasingly many companies meeting you online first, here’s a list of things you shouldn’t post on social media:
- Confidential information should not be discussed.
- Don’t post anything too personal or improper.
- Don’t say anything that could be construed as derogatory.
- Please do not publish anything that contains grammatical problems. (Employers dislike employees who have weak communication skills.)
- Use a screen name that is relevant.
- Don’t speak ill about a former boss or coworker.
When it comes to posting stuff on the internet, consider that everything will be public and permanent. Because the things you post online become a digital image of who you are, be sure your online persona reflects your core values and the person you want to become. Employers (and others) use your posts to determine whether you’re the type of person they want to associate with their company.
Professional Network
Professional associations exist in almost every industry, and they bring together and inform people who work in the same field. Not only do you improve your networking skills by joining a professional group, but you also have access to education, training, industry certifications, and more recruiters. It’s also a wonderful first step in thinking and acting professionally, as well as a means to give back to your field.
Local chapters of professional groups are usually available, allowing you to meet professionals in your region. These organizations frequently require volunteers to assist them in organizing meetings, workshops, and committees. Take the initiative and volunteer for these fantastic networking and engagement opportunities in your field. When you meet people in your field, ask if they’d be willing to talk to you about their job and give you advise. People are usually joyful and enthusiastic while discussing their jobs and careers. Make it a practice to reach out to individuals in your sector for advice and collaboration.
LinkedIn is a networking platform that can help you connect with professionals in your business. LinkedIn is a professional-oriented social media platform. It gives you the opportunity to network with coworkers, classmates, professors, and possible employers. LinkedIn allows you to establish a professional profile that includes a description of your job and educational experience. Members in your network, known as “connections,” can promote you and support your skills. In addition to LinkedIn profiles, LinkedIn members can write articles on professional subjects. You can use the site to write articles and update your profile.
CVs Vs LinkedIn
The distinction between a CV and LinkedIn is important to your success. The distinctions are dependent on the target audience. A CV’s target audience is a specific employer. LinkedIn’s target audience is your professional network. LinkedIn blends the strength of your CV with professional networking and a community. So you may not only apply for employment, but you can also network with other professionals in your field and organizations that interest you. If you use LinkedIn solely as an online CV, you’ll miss out on important LinkedIn features like articles, groups, and more, which can help you network with professionals and advance your career.
You can use your CV as the basis for your LinkedIn profile; just remember to tailor your experience to a professional audience. Instead of responding to a specific job offering, shift your focus to queries like “why would someone want to connect with me based on my profile?” or “How does my profile indicate my capacity to add value?” Employers use LinkedIn to find potential employees, so use keywords and phrases that recruiters are likely to search for, just as you would in your CV.
