Today’s topic is employment networking, which is my favorite! Hand to hand, face to face, person to person. Most people know what employment networking is, but few does it well. I’m going to share with you a few tips and methods to effectively to position for employing a healthy job search networking tactic.
Tip #1: Take a look at your current sphere of influence. What groups, associations and other organizations are you a part of? Do your children participate in any extra curricular activities that allow you to interact with other parents? Do you volunteer anywhere? What do your family and friends do and who do they know? What religious affiliations do you have? Begin looking at these current activities and groups you are already associated with to determine how they can aide your job search networking efforts?
Tip #2: Which organizations, associations or groups do you NEED to be a part of, but currently aren’t? Every profession has an organization. Identify where those are specific to your profession or desired industry. Continue to expand your sphere and get the word out about your skills, experience and desire to work. Considering most positions not advertised, who you know and who your employment networking is with, is often more important than what you know.
Tip #3: Make sure you reciprocate and return the favor. The key to any relationship is mutual benefit. You would be surprised how many people have tunnel vision and simply are interested in extracting information and requesting support without offering to return the favor. Do not make this mistake. Offer assistance whenever you can to build trust and rapport in that relationship to maximize your results your job search networking.
Successful employment networking is building relationships through mutual benefit. Seldom doe this does not involve exchanging items of actual monetary value. This means sharing your time, your ideas and your ears in a sincere fashion, following up when necessary and being sincere in your approach. I look forward to sharing more information with you in the near future.
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While I am not generally comfortable with networking, I can do it when necessary. I wish it came more naturally to me as it does to Sean–it is clear he is truly passionate about it!