Making Connections that Last a Lifetime

The Importance of Networking

What We Will Cover…

• What is Networking?• Who can benefit from it?• Ways we network• How We Network for Obtaining

Employment

• References

What is Networking?“There is always strength in numbers. The more individuals or organizations that you can rally to your cause, the better.” Mark Shields

Networking is a supportive way of sharing information and servicesamong individuals and groups having a commoninterest.

Networking is not about trying to meet as many people whom you don't know. This is almost as ineffective as applying directly to a job posting. Networking is about meeting people you do know who can both vouch for your past performance and future potential, and willingly recommend you to others.

Who Can Benefit from it?

You

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Ways We Network

Ways We NetworkAs you can see the Internet has been very influential to how we network. For many of us it’s easier to send an e-mail or Skype than to use regular mail or phone, particularly when the distance between people separated by oceans.

Attending conferences and fairs are another way of meeting people and establishing initial connections. Maintaining the contact with people you initially meet is a challenge but must be done in order to be able to establish a reliable base that will be willing to vouch for you when you need a job reference or give your name as a reference when an opportunity comes up.

Donating your time as a volunteer in the field you are interested in, is also very important. It gives people a chance to see you showcase your skills and talents.

Being a patient, polite, but constant presence in the eyes of your target audience is key to getting them to take notice and interest.

How We Network for the Purpose of Obtaining Employment

1) Building Your Target Company List: Effective networking begins with creating a target list of companies likely to have jobs you are interested in based on your particular industry and specific job function, and then focusing your networking activities on reaching the decision-makers in those companies. Making this list for yourself is a critical first step, and it should become your road-map for moving forward with your job search.

2) Identifying the Key People in Your Target Companies: For each company, you’ll want to start a separate list for yourself of the key people you identify, and devise a way to keep track of what actions you take with each of those target people (e.g. sent intro email, left voice-mail message, spoke with on the phone, met with, followed-up with, etc.).

3) Reaching Out to Your Targeted People Send an intro email, and then a few days later make a follow-up phone call. The intro email (or LinkedIn message) I send has three parts. First, the opener that describes how I know the person. Second, a brief section describing my background and career goals. And third, a request for help.

How We Network for Obtaining Employment

4) Talking / Meeting With Your Targets.The goal of any networking meeting with a person from your target list is very simple: you want them to get to know you and vice-versa – in an informal way. This is not an interview. It’s a conversation with a potential networking partner.You should ask to hear more about their background. You want to learn more about their industry, their job, their company. You should wait until the person asks about you, and then tell them your story. In doing so, you’ll want to be brief, and hit the highlights of your experiences and areas of expertise. You should clearly describe what type of position you are hoping to uncover through your networking activities.They might know of an opening at another company, or be able to refer you to someone else at another target company on your list. Or perhaps they’ll hear about a job elsewhere later, or a job will open up in their own company tomorrow, or next week, or next month.You want them to know who you are, and most importantly to LIKE YOU and REMEMBER YOU! It’s all about being in front of the right person at the right time., you should still attempt to offer to help your target. Networking only works when both parties feel they are getting something out of the partnership – that it’s truly a 2-way streetAsk those you those you meet with for names of other contacts to meet with.You should NOT start by giving the person your résumé (unless they specifically ask for it.) You should NOT ask for a job. You should NOT ask the person if their company is hiring, and then ask them to help you get in front of the hiring manager.

How We Network for Obtaining Employment

5) Following-Up and Staying in Touch With Your NetworkAs you keep reaching out to and meeting with more and more targets and decision-makers (or people who can refer you to those targets and decision-makers) your network will grow larger and larger. And it will be made up of key people in your industry who all tend to know each other and are “well-connected.”The first thing you should do is write a thank-you email immediately after a first networking conversation or meeting.Keep in touch with those you have networked with on a regular basis to keep yourself fresh in their mindSend emails, a friendly hello, something that may interest them, an update on your job search status, etc. and try to make it personal if possible.

References BrainyQuote Websitehttp://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/markshield226003.html#qVVpvZMj1qcgjzrz.99

Wordpress.comhttps://michaelspiro.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/how-to-network-a-

step-by-step-guide-for-job-searching/