Whether you’re looking for a job or clients, networking is how business gets done. Studies have shown a surprising percentage of all job seekers who land jobs, do so through proper networking.
During your job search, there are two basic types of networking you will use: informal and formal. The informal type means contacting everyone you know and asking them for a job. If you happen to be too shy, and many people are, casually mentioning that you’re looking for a job in whatever field you are in can do wonders. At the very least, this will allow your contacts to keep you in mind if they happen across an opportunity they feel you are suited for. Remember, many eyes can see more than one pair.
Formal networking includes conventions, discussion groups and other business events that are usually organized by an industry advocacy group, social body or association.
Here are five tips to help you network effectively:
1. Do some self-assessment: Examine your strengths and weaknesses so find out the areas you have to work on. Practicing your “pitch” in front of a mirror or with a friend is a great way to gain comfort with “pitching” people; practice answering questions that you think might be asked during an interview. The more you practice, the more confident you will be.
2. Organize your network: Keep every business card you get, and put them in order. Don’t forget about organizations that put on networking events.
3. Create personal business cards and always keep them on you; you never know when a chance meeting will turn into something big. Like the Boy Scout motto says: “be prepared.”
4. Don’t be afraid of talking (but know when to shut up). While formal topics are important, it's good to throw some casual conversation into the mix. This helps put people at ease and the more comfortable someone feels around you, the more comfortable they are to share information. Keep in mind, however, that a chatterbox can spoil the fun for everyone in the room and nullify all your hard work.
5. Make your intentions clear. What’s the point of all this hard work if no-one knows that you’re in the market for a job? Find ways of letting folks know that you are actively seeking a position. Remember that while you know what you do, everyone else might not, so be sure to specify your field when you tell them you’re looking. That makes it easy for a friend or colleague to identify opportunities that fit you when they come across them.