Over 75% of jobs are never posted on job boards or advertised in the newspaper. These invisible jobs are the infamous "hidden job market," and you reach this gold mine of jobs by networking your way into it.
Networking is nothing more than getting to know people. Whether you realise it or not, you’re already networking every day and everywhere you go. You're networking when you strike up a conversation with the person next to you in line, meet a friend of a friend, catch up with a former co-worker, or stop to chat with your neighbour. Everyone you meet can help you move your job search forward.
Here are 7 top tips to become a ‘master’ job networker.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #1: MAKE A LIST OF EVERYONE YOU KNOW
Your network (people you know) is bigger than you think it is. It includes all of your family, friends, friends of friends, parents of friends, and casual acquaintances. Think about people you know from high school, college or uni, church, the gym, social media contacts/friends, or your neighbourhood. Also think about people you’ve met through your close connections: your sister’s co-worker; friends of your parents; your uncle’s business partner or your sports coach.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #2: GET ORGANISED
Keep track of your network and start a network notebook or excel document. Once you start to network, in order to remain effective you need to stay organised. You need to remember your network names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, how you made the contact, when you made the contact and a few notes about each interaction with that person. Write down everything and keep business cards given to you by people you meet.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #3: FOCUS ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Networking is a give-and-take process that involves making connections, sharing information, and asking questions. It’s a way of relating to others, not a technique for getting a job or a favor. You don’t have to hand out your business cards on street corners, cold call everyone on your contact list, or work a room of strangers. All you have to do is reach out.
Be authentic. In any job search or networking situation, being you—the real you—should be your goal. Hiding who you are or suppressing your true interests and goals will only hurt you in the long run. Pursuing what you want and not what you think others will like, will always be more fulfilling and ultimately more successful.
Be considerate. If you’re reconnecting with an old friend or colleague, take the time to get through the catching-up phase before you blurt out your need. On the other hand, if this person is a busy professional you don’t know well, be respectful of his or her time and come straight out with your request.
Ask for advice, not a job. Don’t ask for a job, a request comes with a lot of pressure. You want your contacts to become allies in your job search, not make them feel ambushed, so ask for information or insight instead. If they’re able to hire you or refer you to someone who can, they will. If not, you haven’t put them in the uncomfortable position of turning you down or telling you they can’t help.
Be specific in your request. Before you go off and reconnect with everyone you’ve ever known, get your act together and do a little homework. Be prepared to articulate what you’re looking for. Is it a reference? An insider’s take on the industry? A referral? An introduction to someone in the field? Also make sure to provide an update on your qualifications and what you have to offer.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #4: VOLUNTEER
Volunteering lets you expand your network of contacts easily and effectively. Finding a job these days is all about networking. And when you volunteer, you gain access to people you might not otherwise meet, creating opportunities to develop positive relationships outside a traditional work environment. Those contacts could be people who might ultimately hire you or who could refer you to others with job vacancies. But as valuable as volunteering is, it’s important to remember that some types of unpaid work at nonprofits are better than others for securing your next paid job.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #5: BUILD YOUR ONLINE PROFILE
Social media (in particular LinkedIn) offers a great way to meet new people and build relationships with them. You never know when you could meet someone that can help you find a great job, or even someone that can give you some great advice and support. Like and connect with the companies and people you are interested in and when you feel confident, join conversations to show that you could provide real value to potential employers.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #6: GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO REMEMBER YOU
When you meet people, it’s your job to differentiate yourself from the others. Clearly define what it is that you do best and be enthusiastic when talking about what you do or what you want, as people want to work with individuals who are passionate about what they do. Ask what you can do for them, as they are likely to remember you after the event if you can benefit them in some way. And remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language! And always follow up. If you said you’d do something for them, make sure you stick to your word and act on it before you forget.
JOB NETWORKING TIP #7: NETWORKING TAKES TIME
Networking takes time to develop. Most people are not natural born networkers and for many networking doesn’t come easily. The good news is that you can acquire this vital professional skill by getting the right knowledge, the right attitude and plenty of practice to become good at it. Your efforts will quickly translate into greater access to what many call the "hidden job market," in which the best jobs aren't advertised, but are known to a select group of people in the field.
“It's not what you know but who you know that makes the difference.”
BOOKS TO READ
How To Win Friends And Influence People In The Digital Age. Dale Carnegie