How to Network for a Job: 6 Tips to Help You
Networking is common in job hunting. Building networks can help professionals advance their careers and access new employment prospects, as referrals are 4x more likely to be hired. This means that a solid network can help give you a better chance of landing a job.
If you're interested in learning how to utilize your network to land a job, this article can give you job networking tips that you can use for your job hunting. Let's start with knowing who your network is.
Who is Your Network?
Most jobs are found through relationships and connections. This means that being approachable and eager to give a hand can help you develop meaningful relationships in your field of specialization, maintain your concentration in job hunting, and direct you to your goal.
Whether you know it or not, you're already building a network that you can look back at during your job hunt. Everyone you meet can help you move your job search forward, from events to simple conversations. Here are some of the networks you may have already established or can start building.
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Your professional network
This network refers to your colleagues, managers, and everyone you met at networking events and business chambers.
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Your private network
This group includes your family, friends, relatives, childhood friends, and relationships.
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Your social network
This network consists of your social networks on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more. These can be acquaintances or friends of friends.
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Your alumni network
An alumni network is more straightforward. They are the people you went to school with.
How to Network for a Job: Job Networking Tips to Follow
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Make a list of people in your network
The first tip on how to network for a job is to list people who can recommend others who can help you. Categorize these people according to where you met them. This way, you'll get a better scope of who their networks are and how they can help you.
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Know the people that can be your gateway to a job
After making a list, it's time to determine who can be the gateway to a job. Look into their networks and the industry they're in to see if you fit there.
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Know the people who are further out into the world
When looking for a new job, one of the best job networking tips is to start getting to know the people who are further out. Those closer to you may not be much help, but those with at least some degree of influence may be. Plus, they're larger in numbers compared to your inner circle.
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Determine your sphere of influence
Once you've determined your sphere of influence, it can benefit your job-hunting process. When you choose the right people, you may never have a hard time looking for a job again. Having a good sphere of influence increases your chances of career growth, builds relationships, helps you become more valuable, and gains respect.
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Don't exploit your network
You'll need to gradually expand your contacts and build a strong relationship with them before asking for any favors. If you ask them to put in a good word for you early on, it will look like you are utilizing them. However, if you've been a supportive and helpful network member, there shouldn't be a problem.
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Enjoy the networking process
Don't hurry through the process of effective networking. It's unwise to be haste in creating bonds and relationships. Take your time to be present and enjoy the networking process. This will increase your chances of landing the job you want through the other aforementioned job networking tips.
Start Networking Strategically
Networking is a tricky process and can be detrimental to your chances of landing that job if not done properly. Remember to start small, build a list of contacts, remember key job networking tips, and then see who has the right network to help you in your job hunting.
Learning how to network for a job is just one aspect of the job hunting process. Another is to prepare, organize, and do thorough research. Head over to Career.com to discover and land your dream job today.
