Network Your Way To A Job

Networking is not something I am naturally good at, in fact I really suck at it and feel quite slimy when doing it. Unfortunately it is a necessary evil and something you must get used to if you want to make your job search a lot easier. Networking may not get you a job in the short term but it will certainly get you the job you want in the long term.

Here are the top 5 tips to effective networking:

Know what you want: “If you don’t care where you are going then any road will take you there”, this is a quote from Alice in wonderland and it greatly applies to your job search. If you are seeking any job and don’t have any idea of the industry or role you are looking for then it will be harder for people to help you, as they have nothing specific to associate you with. The first step to effective networking is to get specific on the job you want.

Get over it: There is often a mental block of thinking “ I don’t want to bother people or you don’t want to come across as needy”. The best advice I have received in this department is to fake it till you make it. Repetition is also key, start speaking about your job search to everyone including people you don’t know. The conversation should first be about them but then transition to your job search.

Have an elevator pitch – An elevator pitch is a short 30 second pitch you can give to anyone about who you are and what you are interested in. If you feel awkward about doing this then you can video tape yourself saying the pitch till it becomes natural and sounds right. A good pitch will allow you to seem confident and natural when you meet with people that can help you in your job search.

Contact information – If people can’t access you when they find jobs then it doesn’t matter how good an impression you leave. You must ensure that you provide people with a business card or add them on linked-in and send them a short message thanking them for their time and reminding them to let you know if they hear anything.

Stay positive – People aren’t interested in hearing other people’s problems, the key is to stay positive when speaking to others about your job search and have a positive and optimistic outlook. If you are positive you are more likely to be remembered and if they remember you then it is more likely that they contact you when they find a position that you would be interested in.

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