YOUR NEXT JOB IS A DM AWAY: NETWORKING FOR THE B STUDENT PART I

Last week I gave some pointers on how to make the most out of your postgraduate education. Later, I received feedback from readers who enjoyed the post but wanted more information on networking. So I’ve decided to tackle networking through a series of posts over the coming weeks. This week I want to discuss informal networking.

Networking is absolutely critical to every successful career. It allows people to gain access to opportunities they could never get on their own. However, many of us are not aware of how it actually works.

Networking is simply connecting with others in a purposeful way.

Think about how you got your first part-time or summer job. Chances are you had a friend or relative already working for the company who vouched for you. Believe it or not, even top level management jobs are filled using the recommendation of a trusted staff member or friend.  

Before graduating from university, I started contacting a few Facebook friends, who were already working full-time, to ask about their job search techniques. Within a few days,  one of these friends suggested that I apply to a job developer position in her department (a job developer helps youth find jobs). She knew about my volunteer experience with marginalized youth and felt that I would be a good fit in the organization, so she offered to recommend my application to the manager. I know what you’re thinking; I got the hook up. Well, actually,  it wasn't that easy. I still had to submit my resume through the standard channels and go through a rigorous interview process. I got the job and, in the process, developed a greater understanding of the power of networking.

When an employer posts a job, their mission is not only to find some who will be competent in the position, but also someone who will fit within their organization. Someone they can trust who will blend in with the existing workplace culture. Resumes are cold and generally impersonal. However, if an already trusted person vouches for you, it gives employers that extra information they need to filter through a deluge of applications. Your friends and acquaintances on social media happen to be trusted voices within an organization. If you build meaningful relationships with them, through effective networking, they can help you get your voice heard through the noise of all the other qualified candidates. 

Here are 3 simple tips to effective informal networking:

1. Always start by reaching out to your closest friends and relatives. They’ll be more likely to vouch for you because they know and trust you.

2. Don’t wait until you’re unemployed to start reaching out. Always surround yourself with a community of people who can help you to reach your career goals.

3. Always think of your relationships in terms of what you can give as opposed to what you can get.  The more you can impact the lives of others through giving, the easier it will be to build trusting relationship that can yield more opportunities.