How To Network Online and In Person for Your Next Job
This article has tips you can use to use your existing network to find a new job. You are very likely to meet thousands of people through your job or your friends, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can use those relationships to get another job... unless you take some of the steps we'll discusss here.
Some people are really good at using the resources they have to make the right connections, others not so much.
There are thousands of jobs and employers looking for the right person for the job. Employers often have their eye on a candidate who has a great resume and skill set. But in reality, most people aren't hired based on their resume alone. Company owners and human resource managers alike say they focus a great deal of time learning about new job candidates through personal and professional connections and word of mouth.
Reach Out to Everyone You Know
Finding a job can be as simple as reaching out to everyone you know to make them aware that you're looking. It's also important to make them aware of the kinds of jobs you are interested in. Posting your resume on sites like LinkedIn or even your own website. This makes it easy to quickly forward your resume to a hiring manager or a friend so that they can see your background.
Get Involved in Activities in Your Community and Neighborhood
Participating in volunteer activities in your community is a great way to meet people who are movers and shakers in organizations that put together activities that make a difference in people's lives. These organizers can not only become great friends, but they can serve as great references. Some volunteer activities turn into permanent positions over time.
- Join Social Media Groups. Joining online groups can also be a great way to meet new people who have similar interests and goals. These connections can turn into personal and business associates that can be a good source of job leads.
As you add more connections both online and offline, your social media newsfeed will grow.
- Prioritize Your Job Contacts. As your feed grows, you may find it necessary to re-organize your posts by interests or based on the time of day. You might want to prioritize your social media feeds related to various networking connections or job boards that may lead to a job.
Control what you see in your Facebook news feed and take a look at how to create custom alerts for Facebook and Twitter that will help you create a feed tailored to your networking and social media needs.
- Tell People What You're Looking for In a Job - Don't keep your job search a secret. Being unemployed these days is a regular occurence and the only way your network will be able to help you find the opportunity of your dreams is to make them aware.
- Host Meetups. Engage with your community and help organize meetups, depending on the area where you’re located.
- Share Your Own Product Content. You’ll be surprised what users are most interested in.
- Make Videos. They’re easy to make and you’ll be able to show off your skills.
- Be Active on Social Media. Every social network has its own nuances and each has its own use. But if you want to connect with customers, investors, and future customers, you need to be active on every network. That includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and even YouTube!
Facebook connects you to friends and those friends who are connected to friends are connected to friends. I can go on and on with examples and encourage you to use it as a networking tool to improve your relationship with others. The point of this is to remember that your friendship network can make a positive difference in the lives of others and that the ripple effect is huge.
Let Us Help with Your Job Search!
Be sure to check out current administratibve and data entry jobs and sign up to receive new jobs sent directly to your email as they are posted. Be the first to know when new jobs are posted by signing up for push notifications.
