Top 5 Networking Tips for Job Seekers

If you are a job seeker who has been looking for that perfect job opportunity, then you are not alone in the race. Sometimes, despite having a great skill set, work ethic, and a killer cover letter, a job might slip out of your fingers! However, there is one thing that can help you bag that job you had been eyeing for a while; networking! But how should one go about it, is the main question! Here are our top 5 networking tips that will help you do just that!

Why Networking?

Ever heard the phrase: “It’s not what you know. It’s who you know”, well, the importance of networking could not be summed up in a better sentence. As a job seeker, it is important to know the right kind of people. What is even more important is to know how to use these relationships to land a job that you had always wanted! To help you through this phase, we have here 5 networking tips that are sure to help you grow your network brilliantly.

1. Don’t Be Shy!

Ok, we know this is easier said than done, but trust us on this and hear what we have to say to you! What if we told you that close to 80% of job seekers successfully get their dream job, not by applying online, but with the help of both personal and professional connections? This is precisely the point of networking. A person can essentially land jobs in Harlingen TX through personal connections as well as professional ones.

It is of extreme importance that you be open to interacting with people who are influential in your field and can vouch for you when the time and need arise. You might be in any stage of your career, but if you do not have the right people in your corner, then you can very well say goodbye to career advancement. Building connections that help guide you and advise you is important for a thriving career. Hence, don’t shy away from talking to people, interacting with them, and slowly establishing a professional/personal relationship!

2. Use the Platforms at Your Disposal

What is the point of platforms like LinkedIn or other such websites like LinkedIn or others if you are not open to connecting with like-minded people or people who can help with your career growth? Such platforms happen to be great to put forth how committed and engaged you are to the work you do and how you can be a great contributor to a company as well. Start by following at least 50 people who have been a huge influence on you when it comes to your career. Share the posts you like from their profile, and let people know why you like what you do!

Use these platforms to add oomph to your persona. Here are a few simple steps to do the same:

• An attractive banner image that represents who you are.
• A clear profile photo, with a confident smile on your face
• List down your top skill
• What you have done for previous organizations and how it has helped the company
• Follow groups that voice your opinions and interests.

3. The Do’s and Dont’s

Do’s:

• Join organizations and societies and groups in the field you are interested in and interact there with others
• Make sure to connect with different people in and outside of your circle or array of interests.
• Ensure that you write positive feedback or recommendation for the people you have interacted with on platforms such as LinkedIn.
• Also, make sure that your headline is more than your job title. The headline should be about who you are as a job seeker.

Don’ts

• Don’t reach out to random people to ask for a favor. Make sure to build a connection first and then go down the “asking for favor” route.
• Yes, an elevator pitch is always good, but throwing it down someone’s throat as soon as you connect with them will only make them averse to your ideas or even you! Don’t do it
• Don’t paraphrase and use the same tired old words when communicating. Be fresh and unique
• Don’t ask a random stranger, who you have only recently connected for a recommendation! It doesn’t work that way!

4. Be Easy to Help

Tardiness or passiveness is never appreciated in a job seeker. If you want help you should be approachable enough to be helped!

• Close the skill gaps that might prevent you from landing the job you want
• A clear job description of what you want to do will help your network understand you better and thus help you in the long run.
• Apply for a job even if you think you only got 60% of what the job is asking for! You never know, the company might just like your approach!

5. Be Confident

Confidence is key and there is nothing more than a company appreciates than a candidate with a go-getter attitude! Work on yourself and ensure that you feel satisfied with the person you are and are confident talking about yourself, without being cocky! We truly hope that these tips help you land that job you had your eye on! If not, there are probably better opportunities waiting for you!