Networking business cards, which have the look and feel of a traditional business card, give you the opportunity to provide critical career and contact information to people you meet in social and professional situations where it is not appropriate to hand out resumes. Here’s how to design an effective, inexpensive networking card:
Archives for May 2020
Two Social Media Job Search Strategies
Who says you have to look for jobs online only at job-related sites? Here are two strategies to look for jobs using social media.
(Module 2) Make the Most of Networking Events
Until you’ve done it at least a few times, attending a networking event can be stressful. What’s the best way to introduce yourself? Who should you talk to? How can you get a conversation started – and keep it going? These are just some of the questions you may have about how to make networking events work well for you.
The more people you talk to, the more opportunities you’ll uncover. There are things you can do to make networking at business events simple and straightforward. Taking a little time to prepare and practice in advance will soon have you networking like a pro.
(Module 1) How to Find Networking Events Worth Going To
The reason to grow your network is clear: the bigger your network, the more likely you are to know someone who can offer career help, whether by making an introduction, serving as a reference, or more. The easy way to build up your network is with current and former colleagues. But once those relationships are in place, and you’re connected on LinkedIn, how else can you expand your network?
One option is attending networking events. They’re designed to help people form connections. The trick is, first you have to find the right events. Get tips on how to find networking events, as well as how to make the most of them.
5 Ways to Find Networking Events
1. Professional Associations
Search online for professional associations for industries that you want to work in and then search for an association chapter that is local you. Professional events can include breakfast or lunch discussions, networking events, happy hour events, conferences, seminars, workshops, discussions, classes, and so much more. Industry colleagues and mentors could be good sources for recommendations, too.
They’re also the perfect place for you to look for a mentor as many organizations offer programs where they pair people with industry veterans.
Attending these events is an excellent way for you to meet other like-minded individuals, learn about trends in your industry and keep up breaking information, ad if you’re in the right spot at the right time, learn about unadvertised job openings.
2. Alumni and Affinity Organizations
Your college or graduate school can also be a great source of networking events. They may host local alumni events and holiday parties, which are a great place to meet people who are likely to give you advice and assistance.
Affinity groups form around interests, goals, and sometimes identity. Some organizations, for instance, have affinity groups for LGBTQ+ people, or for women, or for people with disabilities, etc. You can join a group at your office, or seek out one outside of your company. For instance, DamesBond is a woman-focused networking organization, while Our Professionals is a membership-driven organization that has job listings, networking events, professional development, and more services for members.
3. Browse Networking Sites
Thanks to the internet, there are tons of ways to find events, conferences, and specifically networking-focused events, all categorized by geographic location.
Two of the most popular and well-known sites include:
- Meetup — Explore free and low-cost in-person meet-ups in your industry, whether it’s beauty, tech, photography, or something else. There’s also a category for “career and business events” with a wide variety of career-focused groups that meet regularly.
- Eventbrite — This event-based site has listing pages for free and paid events. You’ll find fairs, festivals, discussions, conferences, classes, and much more.
- Facebook Events
- Linkedin Groups – Now that LinkedIn has discontinued its less-than-popular Events app, you’ll want to keep an eye on what is going on in individual LinkedIn Groups that you belong to.
4. Check Social Media
Do you follow industry organizations on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram) and subscribe to newsletters? Many organizations put on annual or even more frequent events.
If you’re involved in media, publishing, or public relations, for instance, you’ll want to follow MediaBistro and Muckrack on social media and subscribe to their newsletters, since both organizations frequently host networking events, conferences, and host classes.
Look for the organizations in your industry and follow them on social media and through newsletters. If you’re not sure which organizations are big, ask colleagues, post on LinkedIn, or do a quick online search.
5. Local Organizations
For more places to find networking events, think local: your library or religious institution may host events. You may also find events open to all at community organizations, co-working spaces, and through your local chamber of commerce.
After you complete the Job Target Criteria form, you’re now ready to discover: How Many Potential Employers is Enough
(Module 9) Keep in Touch & the Law of Seven
Maintaining new contacts can be beneficial, but only if you make the effort to nurture and maintain the relationships.
In life, persistence often prevails.
The Law of Seven is a selling strategy which states that the sale often will not be made until at least seven exposures to the product or service are completed. The Law of Seven is followed faithfully by sales professionals, advertisers, marketers and more.
To have the most success with job search networking, you need to use this strategy and how often to contact people:
(Module 8) Make One+ Networking Contact Every Day
Networking is picking up your phone and making the call or sending a job search networking request letter. You need to be networking consistently in your job search. An initial flurry of calls is not sufficient to keep your network alive and moving forward.
How to Create Your Elevator Pitch with Samples
What’s an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? Your elevator pitch is a quick synopsis about you: who you are, your background, what you do, and what you want to do (if you’re job hunting). The reason it’s called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.
Done right, this short presentation helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. An elevator pitch is a great way to gain confidence in introducing yourself to hiring managers and company representatives.
3 Sample Thank You Notes for Networking Help
It’s a common act of respect to send a written or digital thank you email or card following a networking conversation. If your handwriting is legible, the personalized touch of a handwritten note is always appreciated, through an email works just as well.
What to Say (And Avoid) In Your Job Search Networking Conversations
Now that you have job search networking meetings scheduled, you may be thinking “But what do I say?”
The actual process of networking can seem somewhat mysterious, yet it really isn’t. You are simply making contact with individuals who may be able to assist in your job search.
What Job Search Networking REALLY Is And The Potential Benefits to You
One way to find the right job for you is by engaging other people to help you – what is commonly called ‘networking’.
This training module will cover a wide range of proven networking strategies and tactics so you can choose the best ones for your situation and personal comfort level.
Networking can be a smart strategy to find a job because:
- Job listings tend to draw piles of applicants, which puts you in intense competition with many others. Networking makes you a recommended member of a much smaller pool.
- While interviewing based on resumes alone can help employers find strong candidates, relying on networks and the networks of their employees can reduce the risk of a bad hire. Using networking to get a job interview means you’ll enter the hiring process with a relationship and level of trust with your employer, thanks to your network.
- Networking to find a new job can also give you access to opportunities that you may not find in an online job search. Research shows about 80% of all job openings are not listed on company websites or job boards, but are instead shared only internally or through networking. This means that you need to be regularly communicating with those in your network so they know your skills and experience, trust you and know when you are in search of a job.
- While interviewing based on resumes alone can help employers find strong candidates, relying on networks and the networks of their employees can reduce the risk of a bad hire. Using networking to get a job interview means you’ll enter the hiring process with a relationship and level of trust with your employer, thanks to your network.
- Networking to find a new job can also give you access to opportunities that you may not find in an online job search. Many positions are not listed on company websites but are instead shared only internally or through networking.
Networking is REALLY about making genuine contacts with people who can either help you directly or connect you with others who can.
Networking is NOT about asking everyone you know for a job. As a matter of fact, when you network you should never ask someone for a job.
Instead, you ask them for information that will help you in your search. Your goal is to build an authentic connection and establish enough rapport so that if they can be a potential resource or discover a potential opportunity, they feel comfortable and motivated to pass it along to you.
In addition to job opportunities that might not otherwise present themselves, networking can also lead to things like referrals, advice, connections, and professional support.
Even though job search networking is one of the most successful ways to find a new job, it can feel intimidating and scary. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge, tools and strategies, even the most introverted candidates can use job search networking effectively.
If you’re nervous about making contact …
Job networking isn’t a skill everyone comes by naturally. It can seem awkward talking about your career and job search. But with the right mindset and strategies, networking doesn’t have to be hard or uncomfortable.
Perhaps you’re uncomfortable ‘asking for favors’, for example, or being embarrassed about your employment situation.
Or perhaps you’re hesitant to network out of fear of being seen as pushy, annoying, or self-serving?
- Whatever your fears, try to keep the following in mind:
Networking isn’t about handing out your business cards on street corners, cold calling people, or working a room of strangers. - Networking also isn’t about using other people or aggressively promoting yourself – it’s about genuinely connecting with others: people you know, people you don’t really know, and new people you’ve never met before.
- Many people like to give advice and be recognized, valued and respected for their expertise. It feels good to help others, and many people will gladly assist you if they can.
- Almost everyone knows what it’s like to be out of work or looking for a job. They’ll empathize with your situation and will genuinely want to help.
- People are happy to do a favor for the person who referred you by having a networking conversation with you.
- Many people have been through a challenging job search or career transition themselves, so they empathize with you.
- Unemployment can be isolating and stressful. By connecting with others, you’re sure to get some much-needed encouragement, fellowship, and moral support.
- Reconnecting with the people in your network can be fun – even if you have an agenda. The more it feels like a chore, the more tedious and anxiety-ridden the process will be.
- If someone won’t have a job search networking conversation with you, don’t take it personally. Some will, some won/t Move on to your next contact.
Whether you realize it or not, it’s likely that you ‘network’ already. You’re networking when you meet a friend of a friend, catch up with a former co-worker or classmate, chat with your neighbor, introduce yourself to other parents at your child’s school, or strike up a conversation with the person next to you in line.
While finding a job through networking does take more effort, planning, and strategy than these common examples of networking, if you’ve ever done any of these, you can network your way to an exciting new job too.
You’re now ready to discover: How Many Potential Employers is Enough