The Step-by-Step Guide to Networking for People Who Don’t Believe They Can!

March 8, 2023
5:31 pm

Joy Olaivar

The majority of publications on career guidance advise anyone to look for work to “network.” Sadly, because this term has so many connotations related to job searches, for many jobseekers it automatically raises anxiety levels.

Making contacts with professionals in your sector and creating possibilities that can immediately result in future employment are the two main objectives of networking. The issue is that job searchers would naturally use these contacts if they already had them. Sadly, the majority lack contacts, and “networking” entails approaching strangers—something your parents forbade you from doing when you were just three years old!

Networking is more accessible than many make it out to be. Here are some steps to help you get started.

1. Consider the end when beginning. What businesses pique your interest? What positions are you applying for and under what titles? This is an important stage since it provides you with a roadmap on how to begin developing your network. Spend time on job boards, LinkedIn, local business magazines, chamber of commerce websites, Google, economic development groups, and libraries (yes, local libraries may help you uncover amazing firms in your field you never hear of) to gather employment leads based on companies’ job titles.

2. Once these businesses have been located, visit their corporate career website (smaller businesses may still need to obtain this) and look at the available positions. Do this for each business you discovered during your search.

3. Let’s get networking. Go to ALL of your social media networks and conduct these two searches for each business you have noted. The first is simply scouring all of your relationships for anyone who works for the organization you are pursuing. The next step is to look through these same connection records for anyone who has the desired job title (try different titles). Finding any connection—friends, second and third connections—to which you can reach out and potentially establish a relationship is your aim. Most of the time, the only person you may know at the organization where you want employment is someone who may know that person.

4. Reach out to each link. Contact this person using your friend’s name. I am considering applying to a job at your company and wanted to know what you like working for XYZ company. Please tell me more about working for XYZ company. This is really crucial! They start conversing, and you learn a lot about the business. Second, the majority of individuals enjoy lending a hand. They get a chance to connect with you while listening when you ask them about their experiences with the organization. Listening and understanding more about the individual who can help you than they will know about you are the keys to mastering networking.

5. Once you’ve established a rapport, let them know what you’re after. Inform them about the position you are applying for and inquire if they know the hiring manager or a member of the human resources department. If they do, you will greatly improve your chances of being invited for an interview.

6. Do not forget to keep this in mind. Many businesses offer referral bonuses to current workers who refer new hires. We welcome your networking call!

Just certain people may naturally be good at networking. Connecting is difficult. Consider each encounter positively; attempt to learn more about the person you are networking with than give them your story and you will see some amazing outcomes. Keep in mind that the purpose of networking is to forge relationships and open doors. Good fortune!