You’ve heard the saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know.” One of the best ways to get your foot in the door is through networking. So what exactly does that mean? Networking is about building relationships with people who can help advance your career—either indirectly. It involves connecting with others doing similar work or having complementary skills and interests. If you’re new to this concept or just need tips on getting started, we’ll discuss the importance of networking in this post.
Let’s get to work!
Networking is a critical jobseeker skill
Networking is the process of connecting with others to build your professional network. This gives you access to valuable resources that will help you gain visibility within an organization or get the ear of someone who can set you up with a new opportunity! It can help you find job opportunities and expand your reach through like-minded individuals.
Networking helps you find new opportunities.
If you don’t have a strong network, finding opportunities in the first place can be challenging. But what exactly is it about networking that makes it so effective? Networking is compelling because people like helping others and being involved in a community. So, when someone approaches you with an opportunity, they want to help you and someone else in their network. Think of how you feel when you help someone out – pretty good, right? Another reason networking is effective is that unlike searching job postings or sending resumes blindly to an anonymous email inbox, you’re benefiting from the other individual’s reputation by relying on your network. This creates mutually beneficial relationships between professionals in different fields who may be able to refer each other to business or support one another professionally when needed.
Networking helps you take charge of your career!
You can’t sit by and wait for your next job opportunity to appear. You need to be proactive in finding opportunities and networking is one of the best ways. When you network with people, there is a good chance some of them know about unlisted or unknown opportunities. By building into the relationship, you’re making yourself and your experiences visible to companies that could use it!
It might feel awkward at first to ask someone for help like this but rest assured: most people are eager to help others because they have likely been the beneficiary of a strong network and know what a difference it made in their career!
It’s who you know!
Let’s face it, networking is the best way to find a job – people get their jobs through those they know. You never know when your next job opportunity is right around the corner! If you’re an introvert, this might seem impossible, but don’t worry – networking is a skill you can learn and improve over time. It takes a little work, but if you’ve got the drive to be successful, step out of your comfort zone and try it! You can practice by attending events where people gather in an informal setting. Remember, don’t just talk about yourself; ask about others around you; they’re also here to network. You’ll learn more about them and make connections at the same time. When it comes down to it, though, networking requires confidence in yourself (and maybe even some courage). Some days it will come easier than others and you may feel nervous or awkward – but keep trying! You’re never too old or young for this kind of thing; everyone needs help sometimes.
As you now know, networking is a powerful tool in your job search. It’s a great way to meet new people and make connections who can help you later on in life, whether they’re hiring managers or potential coworkers. Remember that there are many different types of networking events out there, so find one that fits your schedule! If all else fails, consider hosting an event at your house or inviting friends for drinks. For more tips to help you nail that interview, grow in your position, or gain essential skills to help you in your career, reach out to our team to see how we can help!
