Each profession always has an organization that looks after the welfare of its members. This will make a good platform for you where you can meet fellow professionals from your field of expertise. You can exchange ideas with them and can find out the available opportunities as well. The other sure way to meet new people is by revisiting your past, such as your former schoolmates. Since you already have something in common with them, it will be easier to share experiences with them. Networking in simple terms is the art of building alliances that have something in common, and this can be done in so many ways. This is a sure way of polishing your set of skills and expanding your network as well.
The best resources for anyone looking for a job are just the ordinary common people you meet everyday like your shopkeeper, your friends, or even your neighbors. You can also improve your network by being more outgoing and friendly to people you happen to meet daily, be it at the barbershop, the doctor’s clinic, or even at the grocery store. It’s also a good idea to attend trade fairs, especially professional ones. These meetings improve and expand your network significantly, which eventually improves your chances of finding an opening somewhere.
Finding a new job is never easy. Networking, however, is considered to be the best way to help you secure a job quickly. Though most companies advertise their jobs, they always prefer hiring those that have been recommended to them by their employees. This explains why one should go out there, meet new people, become acquainted and let them know that you are looking for a job. To network effectively, you need to relate to and effectively communicate to all those people you know and to introduce yourself to those who are unknown. Also, one has to remember that networking is a give-and-take exercise.
Everybody involved in it should benefit in one way or another. Otherwise the whole process loses meaning and won’t be able to sustain itself. The other best tool for networking is the Internet, though it could be a bit tricky. Since using the Internet does not involve meeting face to face, it’s hard to verify the information given by the parties on either side. One has to rely on mere words.
That aside, the Internet can also be a very good medium for relating to a large number of people from different forums. You can have online discussion on various topics. The Internet also makes it easier for those meeting for the first time before meeting face to face. Networking online involves the use of web forums, mailing lists, chat rooms, and social networking websites. Many professionals these days are using the Internet for networking. Therefore, those looking for jobs can really benefit from networking on Internet.
Of all Internet networking, mailing lists happens to be the most used by professionals for communication. The good thing about using the Internet for networking is that it covers so many different topics and is always a step ahead of the print media when it comes to job postings. Therefore, one stands a better chance of getting a job when applying online. Apart from job postings, employers tend to give more information about themselves, the job location, and many other things on the Internet, which are not given in the print media. It can, however, be tricky sometimes to identify who you are connecting with online. The first step is to identify the person you want to connect with by identifying their email address. You can identify several people and come up with a list of mailing participants.
The participants have to be people you have heard or participated with in any of the discussion forums and they should also meet your personal approval. Then come up with a well- written professional letter addressed to them. The first task is always to identify yourself to the person you are contacting, then state the reason why you are making the contact. Also important is to state how you relate to their profession and the similarities you have with them. When trying to build a relationship, it’s always good not to start by sending your resume the first time. Since the relationship is intended to be long term, make a slow but steady approach. Let it mature to a certain level where either the contact asks for your resume, or you ask whether it’s okay to make one available to them. It’s also good to give an alternative as to how you can be contacted either by phone or email.
There are official and non-official networks for every group. Networks help people to stop feeling alone and to overcome problems on their own. Hence, the sooner you start creating your network, the better for your career progress. It’s good to keep your eyes open for any networking opportunities all the time, whether you have a job or not. It’s important to exercise precaution with whom you choose to network. You could be getting close to a troublemaker who might end up ruining your chances of getting a job just by way of association. It’s also good to cast your net wider, and don’t limit yourself to race or gender. Establishing a wider network gives you more options and hence better chances of succeeding.
