Understanding Career Networking
Why is it that when you're looking for a job, the really great ones are few and far between. Just because you can't find these, doesn't mean they don't exist. The trick to finding the best pool of job vacancies is by expanding your career network.
Career networking is defined as meeting and making relevant business contacts in your current or desired industry. The business associations made from career networking will know exactly who's hiring, who's moving and who's leaving. Because networks are so well interlinked within a defined industry in which they fall, business acquaintances are crucial when developing your career and looking for new career prospects. It is incessantly important to establish and maintain your career networks.
Most 'Gem Jobs' get snatched up before they even reach the job section of your local papers or your favourite online job portal. Word of mouth, which is a result of networking, is the most successful means to finding candidates to fill the discussed job vacancies. Career networking is essential in order to hear about these vacancies, as well as to build your name and reputation within your niche industry. This kind of networking should in fact be exercised on a daily basis to at least one contact per day off your network list. While networking is not for the feint hearted, it is not a skill reserved for the confident bubbly, social super hero either. Anyone can learn to network. Provided you have a relevant question to ask or a valid point to make, there is nothing stopping you from introducing yourself and striking up a conversation with an industry peer. If this still doesn't sound easy check out the who, why, when and where of career networking and begin to make career contacts that really count.
Who should I Network with?
The objective of career networking is to make valuable business contacts, who you find to be credible and consistent in their approach. The people that you want to form part of your network contacts are those who have relevant knowledge to share. These advisors or ‘industry can also offer you potential career opportunities. The job opportunities that are discussed within a network are tendered here before proposed to anyone else. Any business associate that you feel it to be in your best interests to keep in contact with, so be it. Generally your career network is comprised of your industry peers and mentors. A handful of trusted recruiters, past colleagues and employers will also feature in your network groups as well as other associates you have acquired over time but who may not be specifically relevant anymore. While these are the immediate and obvious list of contacts you have, don't discredit the more common contacts you have. Other relevant career contacts include friends and family, family friends, Dr's, lawyers and not to mention the long list of your social network of old school friends or lecturers. Any contact who could potentially assist in securing you long term prospects within the industry you are interested in are good contacts to add to your career network.
Why Should I Network?
The explanation to this career networking question is in fact more obvious than what you may think. By networking, you are expanding your prospects within an interconnected group merely by sharing your views or participating in a discussion. The contacts you make by networking can provide you with three powerful career tools. Networks form the back bone of an industry. Because of their credibility and status in a relevant industry, contacts you have gathered from career networking may prove helpful when your need a relevant and impactful reference. Endorsements from relevant members of an industry prove to be most valuable references when required. Another sound reason to be networking is because by doing so you gain valuable industry knowledge. You can consider the details discussed by network groups as being privileged information. Sure it may not be top secret, but the details shared amongst network members is certainly accurate and 'from the horse's mouth' so to speak. Finally but by no means the least, by career networking you form unique alliances with your industry peers. The dynamic relationships built from networking, assures you support, mentorship and career prospects in all of your endeavours.
When Should I Network?
While there are complimentary situations conducive to career networking, in truth, there is no time like the present. The most obvious and beneficial time to network would be when surrounded by relevant contacts. Social events including conferences, management dinners and even workshops present vital career networking opportunities. Not only should you continuously attempt to grow and expand your career network but you also need to maintain the current contacts. This means that on a daily basis you will be required to make contact with at least one associate in your career network. Maybe you want to send them an interesting article you read, or simply drop them a mail for regular industry updates or to find out where they will be discussing the next up and coming topic. Whenever you get the chance to network, do so. Naturally without attaining a restraining order in doing so, remember to be polite and don't harass anybody unnecessarily.
Where Can I network?
There are limitless opportunities where you are able to network with industry peers. Some more obvious than others, but identifying areas to meet up with important business contacts is not brain surgery. Career Networking can be done online as well as in person or offline. Face to face career networking can be done when attending industry functions, seminars or talks. Industry peers make a point of attending such events not only to access the information discussed here but to use as a chance to catch up with important business associates. Career Networking can also be successfully performed online by making use of online social networking websites. Social networking websites include the likes of Facebook, My Space, LinkedIn and other popular networking sites where users are able to directly engage with one another. Always remember when networking online and making use of websites that allow for fun and sometimes questionable applications, what you post on the internet is there for the whole world to see. Remember that when your mate 'spanks' you on Facebook, a professional contact or prospecting employer may not respond to this is a positive way.
Healthy career networking comprises of both online and offline contacts. Regardless of where you meet or what you discuss, networking with industry peers is central to building a fruitful career. Make use of good career networks to leverage your career prospects and secure a lucrative career path for your future.
