Did you know that 80% of the jobs are not posted online?
Did you know that referrals account for around a third of external hires?
Did you know that at least 60% of all jobs are found by networking?
Why is that?
- People prefer to work with people they know, like or have a trust factor with in some way. Think it for a second, how have you found your doctors? Or a tutor for your kids? Or a babysitter?
- Job listings tend to draw tons of applicants to compete with. I’m sure you’ve applied through Linkedin to an offer with over 100 applicants. Feels demotivating, right?
- More than half of candidates are eliminated automatically from the online job search. This one I learnt it recently, an automated tracking system filters CV by keywords. Another obstacle in the way!
- The job you want may not be advertised at all.
Not convinced yet?
The word networking resonates with intimidating, scary, pushy, annoying, self-serving, uncomfortable, full of ego, judgements?
I hear you but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Let me share some tips and thoughts to enjoy and efficiently network to find a meaningful job:
>> Change your perspective around networking
Networking is not about using other people or aggressively promoting yourself—it’s about building relationships and connecting with others: people you know, people you don’t really know, and new people you’ve never met before. And while it may sound intimidating, it can be rewarding and fun, even if you’re shy. Think about it this way: people in your network might have access to people you don’t know. So your network represents your bridge to letting their connections know about you and what you are looking for
Networking is nothing more than getting to know people. Whether you realize it or not, you’re already networking every day and everywhere you go. You’re networking when you strike up a conversation with the person next to you in line, introduce yourself to other parents at your child’s school, meet a friend of a friend, catch up with a former co-worker, or stop to chat with your neighbor. Everyone you meet can help you move your job search forward.
Networking is also about helping others. As human beings, we are wired to connect with others. Without these connections, you can become isolated and experience loneliness and even depression. So the real goal of networking should be to re-invigorate your existing relationships and develop new ones.
Tapping the hidden job market through networking may take more planning and nerve than searching online, but it’s much more effective. Being open to connecting and helping others—in good times and bad—can help you find the right job, make valuable connections in your chosen field, and stay focused and motivated during your job search.
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.
William Butler Yeats
>> Figure out what you want before you start networking
Networking is most effective when you have specific employer targets and career goals. It’s hard to get leads with a generic, “let me know if you hear of anything” request. You may think you’ll have better luck if you leave yourself open to all the possibilities, but the reality is that this “openness” creates a black hole that sucks all of the networking potential out of the connection.
Asking for specific information, leads, or an interview is much more focused and easier for the networking source. If you’re having trouble focusing your job search, you can turn to close friends and family members for help, or even a coach, but avoid contacting more distant people in your network until you’ve set clear goals. Once ready with your goals, do some additional work to know by heart how to articulate the value you will bring to a potential employer and explain your main accomplishments
>> You know more people than you think
You may think that you don’t know anyone who can help you with your job search. But you know more people than you think: family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, and even casual connections. Think broad, people from former jobs, your child’s school, the gym, your landlord or even friends of your parents, your sister’s coworker, etc. There’s a very good chance that at least a few of these people know someone else who can give you career advice or point you to a job opening. You’ll never know if you don’t ask! Start going through your social media accounts and address book and writing down names. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the list grows.
>> Start with your fans
When you are looking for a job, start with your supporters. Your best references—the people who like you and can endorse your abilities, track record, and character—are major networking hubs. Contact each one of them, discuss with them your possibilities, seek their assistance, request their recommendation if needed, and keep them informed on your job search progress.
If you’re nervous about making contact—either because you’re uncomfortable asking for favors or embarrassed about your employment situation—try to keep the following in mind:
- It feels good to help others. Most people will gladly assist you if they can.
- People like to give advice and be recognized for their expertise.
- Almost everyone knows what it’s like to be out of work or looking for a job. They’ll empathize with your situation.
- Unemployment can be isolating and stressful. By connecting with others, you’re sure to get some much needed encouragement, fellowship, and moral support.
- Reconnecting with the people in your network should be fun—even if you have an agenda. The more it feels like a chore, the more tedious and anxiety-ridden the process will be.
>> Then reach out to your broader network
Once you’ve informed close friends and trusted people that you’re considering a move, and share the details on what you’re looking for, contact everyone else you know. You can take a direct approach and ask for job leads or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice. You may be surprised by the people they know.
Make yourself pick up the phone, send emails or have coffee and lunches. It helps to assign yourself a quota to be made each day. The more calls, emails or coffees, the easier it will become. Accept all the invitations you receive – you never know where or when you might meet someone who can provide job search assistance!
Keep track of who you’ve emailed, called, had coffee with or where you have posted so you can follow up.
>> Expand your network
Here’s when we are fully out of our comfort zone!!
Start going to networking events in the field you want to work at, attend conferences in topics you like, go to association meetings, take classes of things you were postponing. You decide if you want a more formal or informal setting but get out there and meet new people. Convince a friend to go with you to make things easier. Bring with you your curiosity, your listening skills and a helping attitude and you will rock!
Yes, sometimes it will be hard or you will be tired, but do it anyway. You never know when the opportunities show up.
>> Build relationships – make human connections
Networking is a give-and-take process that involves making connections, sharing information, and asking questions. It’s a way of relating to others, not a technique for getting a job or a favor. You don’t have to hand out your business cards on street corners, cold call everyone on your contact list, or work a room of strangers. All you have to do is reach out.
Be authentic. In any job search or networking situation, being yourself—the real you—should be your goal. Hiding who you are or suppressing your true interests and goals will only hurt you in the long run. Pursuing what you want and not what you think others will approve of, will always be more fulfilling and ultimately successful.
Be considerate. If you’re reconnecting with an old friend or colleague, take the time to get through the catching-up phase before you blurt out your appeal for help. On the other hand, if this person is a busy professional you don’t know well, be respectful of his or her time and come straight out with your request. Follow up and provide feedback to those who were kind enough to offer their help. Thanks them for their referral and assistance. Let them know whether you got the interview or the job. Or use the opportunity to report on the lack of success or the need for additional help.
Ask for advice, not a job. Don’t ask for a job, a request comes with a lot of pressure. You want your contacts to become allies in your job search, not make them feel ambushed, so ask for information or insight instead. If they’re able to hire you or refer you to someone who can, they will. If not, you haven’t put them in the uncomfortable position of turning you down or telling you they can’t help.
Be specific in your request. As we said at the beginning, before you go off and reconnect with everyone you’ve ever known, do a little homework. Be prepared to articulate what you’re looking for. Is it a reference? An insider’s take on the industry? A referral? An introduction to someone in the field? Also make sure to provide an update on your qualifications and recent professional experience.
>> Be patient
Effective networking is not a process you should rush. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to be efficient and focused, but hurried, emergency networking is not conducive to building relationships for mutual support and benefit. When you network, you should slow down, be present, and try to enjoy the process. This will speed up your chances for success in the job-hunting race. Just because you have an agenda doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy reconnecting.
Networking is more about “farming” than it is about “hunting”. It’s about cultivating relationships.
Dr. Ivan Misner
>> Make time to connect
Accumulating new contacts can be beneficial, but only if you have the time to nurture the relationships. Avoid the irrational impulse to meet as many new people as possible. The key is quality, rather than quantity. Focus on cultivating and maintaining your existing network. You’re sure to discover an incredible array of information, knowledge, expertise, and opportunities. Make connecting a habit—part of your lifestyle. Connecting is just as important as your exercise routine. It breathes life into you and gives you confidence.. As you connect, the world will feel smaller and a small world is much easier to manage.
Here’s a bonus for you:
Once you have gained the muscle at networking and have found your dream job, it’s very easy to forget about it all and be stuck in your daily routine… so force yourself to keep connecting, push yourself to keep meeting new people outside your work, keep nurturing your network!!!!
I would love to hear your thoughts below about all these tips, in the comments below, and which ones you will implement first.
To your fulfillment,
Sophie
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