Find a New Job – Use Your Network!
Networking is one of the most important proactive strategies to develop in order to find a job. Making contact with people in your network may give you job leads and provide you with advice or information about a particular company or industry.
What is networking?
Networking is a process where you engage with your personal contacts and acquaintances on a regular basis. It is about building relationships and relating to others. Networking is a give-and-take process that involves making connections, sharing information, and asking questions. Networking can help to find a job lead or access information on jobs that are only being considered and have not been advertised.
What are the benefits of Networking?
Networking can provide many advantages including:
- Finding out about a job opportunity from someone in your network before the job has been advertised, allowing you to get your application to the company ahead of the competition.
- Networking for jobs often means that through your network the hiring company may know something about you. Companies tend to be positively disposed to people they have some knowledge of. Being known to a prospective employer can help create a positive first impression.
- Maintaining a network can help keep your career options open by providing you with information and insight from others on how and when their careers progress.
- Networking can keep you informed about the job market even when you are not looking for a new role. It may help you assess your market worth or discover emerging growth sectors.
- Networking can mean spending less time looking for a new position as you may have up-to-date information on job opportunities. This can allow you to submit your CV to a hiring company at the earliest opportunity.
- Networking can help you change careers as your professional contacts from different sectors may recognise your suitability for work in other industries.
How do develop my network?
- Make a list of people you know, including family, friends, co-workers, colleagues in your industry, and people you meet through work or conferences.
- Review your Linkedin contacts and other acquaintances from other social media accounts.
- Think about people you know from former jobs, school, college, clubs and societies.
- Consider the people you’ve met through your close connections.
Bear in mind each network member may know of an available job or a connection to someone who will know of one.
How do I network to find a job?
1.Be clear on what you want before you start networking. Are you looking for;
The names of people who are able to make decisions about employing people.
Information about organisations that you may be interested in contacting.
An introduction to someone in the field you are interested in.
A referral to a company.
2.Be specific about what you are kind of work you are interested in and the type of organisations you are targeting.
3.Provide your network with an update on your qualifications and recent professional experience. It can be hard to get a lead when you are too general in your request. Always keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
4.Start by contacting close contacts and your references, the people who already know who you are and can endorse your abilities, track record, and character.
5.Approach your network by email, phone call or scheduled meeting. Do not assume people will not be able to help, you may be unaware of the contacts they have that can assist you.
6.Ask for advice, information or insight and not a job. You want your contacts to help and assist you with your job search and not feel pressurised into finding you a job.
7.Be considerate, if you are reconnecting with an old friend or colleague that you haven’t spoken to in a while, take the time to catch-up with the person before asking for their assistance. Also respect the person’s time, if you get a sense that the person is busy come straight out with your request.
8.Follow up with your network, keep them informed of your situation and thank them for their efforts.
Networking is a two-way relationship and you could think of ways to reciprocate their help or advice. Take the time to nurture your network and you will have access to people you can tap into for ideas, advice, feedback and support.
If you need help in finding your next job or career, assistance with your job search, CV development or interview preparation contact Karen on 087 2809286 or karen@careerprofessionals.ie
