You have probably heard before that, when it comes to finding a job, "it's all who you know". This is the essence of networking and it is a tremendously valuable tool in any job search. The thing to remember--and the thing that is hardest for many first-time job seekers to understand--is that networking doesn't mean asking everyone you know if they will hire you. Networking is about sharing information, building relationships based on mutual benefit--before you need them--and maintaining them over time.
Mary Jane Paris is a Sacred Heart University alumnus who runs a company called Positive Impact Consulting. Her business is geared mostly at helping businesses perform better, but what she says in her recent newsletter about networking to develop business opportunities applies directly to networking for the job search as well. Here's a bit:
"If you look at networking as a “two-way street” – a giving and receiving tool - your success as a receiver will be as great as your generosity as a giver. Like a smile, give it away, and it will come back to you in ways that you’d never imagine.
- Be generous with information
- Share your contacts
- Help people help other people
- Do favors
- Ask for help
- And most importantly, thank those who have helped you!
When you do, you will find people will be ready and willing to open doors, offer tips, make the introductions and connections for you in return.
Positive business-talk reinforces the fact that people do business with those they know, like and trust. Networking is positively the best way to reach out and hold on to people who can make things happen – in a fraction of the time it would take you to accomplish the same goals on your own. As noted by the Society for Human Resource Management, 95% of human resource professionals and job seekers claim networking is the most effective tool to locate job candidates or secure a job."
First time job seekers also often assume that they are powerless to network because they have nothing to offer. Certainly this is true in the sense that you, yourself, are probably not in the position to hire anyone. However, like everyone else, your networking worth comes from the power of your entire network not you individually. It isn't just what you can do it is who YOU know.
Take this theoretical example: Let's say you finally got connected with an employer who is looking to fill a position. After a short conversation you and the employer agree you are not the right fit. However, now that you know more about the position you realize that a friend of yours would be the perfect candidate. Connect the two. If it works out, great. If not, you still did the employer a favor and have effectively added him to your network. He will remember you and most likely be willing to help you as you helped him. It might be with a referral to another employer in his network, or another position in his company. The point is, he will remember you and have a reason to want to help you at some point in the future.
The other mistake most people make is in creating a relationship, using it to their advantage in the short term and forgetting it in the long term. Networks must be maintained or they don't function. Who are you more likely to help, the former co-worker you haven't talked to since you left that job five years ago or the one you talk to once every few months? There has been a rise in professional networking sites in recent years that are great tools to help with this. The biggest, LinkedIn, has over 20 million subscribers (think of it as a "professional" Facebook). We'll talk more about that in a future post.
If you would like more information, or some advice on how to get started, our office has some excellent tools and techniques for SHU students and alumni. Get in touch to make an appointment at CareerDev@sacredheart.edu
