Effective networking tips for job seekers

There are infinite articles about networking to find a job.  They all say pretty much the same:  you have to get out there and sell yourself.  The implication is that networking is an activity focused on meeting the "right" people that will help you achieve something.  In this case, that something is a job lead, an interview, or an internship.   Wrong!! Networking is about cultivating relationships for mutual benefit. The key word is cultivating, which means that results from networking will not happen overnight.

So, what is the quickest way to produce effective job hunting results from networking?

Start with people who already know you.   I mean people who will return your calls, emails, those with whom you have had several interactions and have stayed in touch.  Why?  Because they could act as your ambassadors and help establish your trustworthiness with others.   They could help you consider perspectives or ideas you have not thought about.  And most importantly, they could offer support when things are not happening the way you expect.

Sort them by categories and rank them.  The three categories are:  friends, family and professional contacts.   Although you may be tempted to name everyone that you hang out with, focus on those that will feel comfortable to offer feedback, share your passion to proactively look for opportunities and believe in your ability to succeed as a young professional.  Use these three qualifiers to rank them.  For instance, of all of the family members mentioned, who are the top three that could be best at offering practical advice, or the one with the most knowledge about the type of career you want to pursue?

Looking for work does not have to be done in isolation.  But before you start asking everyone you know to send you job leads, do a bit of homework.  Take the time to work your network of contacts and be clear about how they can be of assistance during you job search.  This approach will save you lots of time, find qualified allies, and get you faster results.

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First impressions tips and strategies

The crude reality of looking for work is that potential employers make their decision in the first few seconds of meeting you.  They spend the remainder of the interview trying to find facts to support their first impression.  It is your immediate task to convince them that you are credible and likable.  Your resume got you the appointment.  Now, you need to rely on your appearance, body language and confidence to move you to the next round.


Appearance.  Think of appearance as how you come across visually.  It has nothing to do with physical attribute (how tall/short/etc.)  Have you heard of the phrase, dress for success? Well, it is true. Dressing to be perceived as successful (meaning capable, sharp and reliable) includes and excludes accessories, and even perfume.  Your impeccable work experience can be easily outshined by too much mascara or cologne.  A conservative look is generally the best way to go.

Body language.  Wearing the right suit or earrings is not enough.  If you are slouched or do not make eye contact, you will not project trustworthiness.  What you are not saying with words you are saying with your body, posture and overall stance.  A firm handshake is a good example of positive body language. 


Confidence.  There are other ways to convey confidence in addition to dressing well and standing up straight.   This is where you want to give the interviewer an idea of how you will be interacting with colleagues on a daily basis. You want to come across engaging and comfortable around new people and situations.  For instance, answering or asking questions clearly and effectively.  

If you are a bit baffled by how first impressions work, turn the tables for a minute. Remember a past interview where the interviewer did not give you a good vibe.  Was it the limp handshake? Or the rushed conversation?  Or the lack of eye contact while reviewing your resume? As you can see, it works both ways!


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Four things to do while looking for work

One of the hardest challenges for job seekers is to figure out what to do in between job interviews.  Waiting to hear from recruiters could turn into an excruciating experience that could fill you with frustration and anxiety.  What to do, then, in the meantime? After sending the customary thank-you letter, stay busy.  Below are four suggestions to remain occupied:

Schedule your daily activities.  There is nothing more demoralizing than waking up and having the feeling that you are not needed anywhere.  You can effectively manage your time regardless of your employment status. It's up to you to approach your job search as a job. Create your own activities and put together a schedule.  Block time for job searching, networking, do some physical activity and time to unwind and do something fun.  A little structure will help you stay motivated.

Learn something new.  Learning does not stop after graduation.  There are plenty of reputable, online resources available to expand your knowledge.  The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a community of of universities around the world that provide free university-level courses online.  There are thousands of options to choose from.  Another way to learn something new is to get in the habit of staying up to date on world and industry events.  Remaining current will give you plenty of fodder when engaging in conversation during an interview or networking.

Practice your networking skills weekly.  Networking is a strategic, systematic activity to build and cultivate relationships for mutual gain.  The key word here is mutual.  Inexperienced networkers meet people with the expectation of asking a favor.  This approach rarely works.  Effective networking takes time as both parties need to get to know each other and build trust.  Being in between jobs gives you the opportunity to attend events and start nurturing relationships that could become future job leads.

Journal and spot lessons learned.  Looking for work could become a draining activity that requires perseverance, confidence and resilience.  You are bound to feel the pressure mounting as times goes by.  Writing your feelings in a journal will provide you with a safe environment to be truthful to yourself.   Besides, having the opportunity to revisit your thoughts could give you a chance to reflect and to learn from the experience.

Despite of what others may think, being in transition does not mean you have no life.  It is all a matter of organizing your time, and finding activities that keep you focused and motivated.


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