Networking is the exchange of information and ideas between people with a profession or special interest in common, generally in a formal or informal social environment. Professionals use it to expand their circles of acquaintances, learn about career opportunities, and to increase their knowledge of news and trends in their fields of work or in the world.
Get ready.
Schedule appointments in advance. Have a resume ready with your contact information or at least business cards that you can hand out so that people know how to contact you. Make sure you have proofread your resume before making copies. Since you are going to process a large amount of information, create an organizational system.
Present yourself.
Always stand up when you introduce yourself. If you have a name tag, write it down. Use a firm handshake and make eye contact. First impressions are the most important.
Ask questions and listen.
Don’t be afraid to start a conversation. Ask open-ended questions that will allow you to strike up a conversation about the answers. Remember that networking is about building relationships, not just making contacts. People want to know that you have heard and appreciate their experience and what they have to say.
Ask for help.
Asking for advice never hurts. Get information from someone who has been through the same process as you. People generally like to be asked for help, it means they value your opinion and see it as a good source of information. It’s helpful to tell those you contact that you don’t expect them to have a job for you but that you’re looking for information and advice.
Use your online presence.
Making connections online can be an effective networking strategy. LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and other social networking sites offer great ways to learn insider information about your career and connect with individuals and professional associations. Maintaining an active profile on these sites will keep you up-to-date with the most up-to-date information about the job field, including hiring and job trends.
Be aware of your online presence.
Some employers often check candidates’ social media as part of the selection process. Therefore, it will be important that you take care of all your published profiles online by removing questionable material. Be sure to present a positive image. You can do a Google search with your name to see what results are generated.
Do your homework.
Take time to research the employers before you meet and get to know them. Preparing ahead of time will help you ask smarter questions and get more detailed information about them, the work environment, and the organization. Ideally, this will help you carry on a comfortable conversation and show that you are interested.
Keep in touch.
The networking process does not end when the professional event or job fair ends. Make sure to give and receive contact information. Follow-up helps to continue relationships and preserve those connections.
Continue with networking.
Even after you’ve found a job, you never know when you may need to turn to your contacts again. Networking will always be essential to enter this “hidden job market,” so do not abandon it.
