These days, most job hunters are aware that one of the best ways to find a job is through networking. Up to 70% of available positions never get advertised, but are filled through people in the know networking with others.
Even knowing this, the majority of job seekers are not taking advantage of networking opportunities because they are too shy, ‘don’t want to ask for favors’ or just don’t seem to think they are a ‘people person.’
The good news is that with a bit of practice and preparation, you can learn how to network like a pro in order to let the world know that you’re ready, willing, and able to help their business be all that it can be. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
*Set up a Facebook profile.
Don’t use your personal profile if you already have one. Set up a profile specifically for your professional career. Post your resume and befriend everyone that looks like they might be able to help.
*Create a profile on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is the professional’s version of Facebook. Use the tools to create a profile and contact others who you already know on there. You never know who is connected to your friends and colleagues. Create as full a profile as possible, complete with your list of skills.
*Always carry business cards with you.
They are a handy way to give people your contact information with fishing around awkwardly between you for a paper or pen. Even if you are the one who wants to get into contact with them, give out your card and take down their details and the reason for contacting them on the back of your own card. You never know when you’re going to meet someone that might have the ability to help in your job search and you want to be ready.
Also consider printing a QR code on your business card so that people who are interested in dealing with you can scan the code with their Smartphone. The code can input a virtual business card into their contacts area of their phone and it can also send them to a special URL that you have created with your resume and a portfolio of your work.
*Blog about your profession.
You’ll attract people in the same field and also demonstrate your expertise if you have your own website with blogging capabilities. If you don’t yet and do not have the money, start with a free site at WordPress.com or Blogger.com to get started.
*Follow the top blogs in your industry.
Subscribe to the top blogs in your industry, and leave short, relevant comments that add to the discussion but are not overtly promotional. In many cases, you will be able to give a simple link back to your site.
To really become an established expert, contact them to ask if you can write some content for the blog. It’s another way to get your name and experience out in the public eye and link back to your own site. It can improve your SEO credit for your site as well (Search Engine Optimization) and improve your page rank, to drive more traffic to your site.
*Let all your friends know that you are looking.
You might think you don’t know that many people, but if you think of six degrees of separation, you will know that we are all interconnected and you have a wider network than you think. Tell everyone what you are looking for. You might be surprised who can help.
*Let everyone in your immediate area know you are actively looking.
Many people feel embarrassed about having lost their job or shy about asking for help, or both. Your neighbors, members of any clubs to which you belong, your mail carrier, the bus driver, and more could all be helpful.
*Get a Twitter account.
Follow everyone in your field. Follow everyone you can in the geographic location you wish to work. See what they are chatting about and contribute in a useful but not too pushy manner. You will soon start to gain a reputation as someone worth listening to.
Also encourage your friends to retweet your work. . For example, one Retweet of a great blog posting of yours could help land you the job of your dreams.
*Have your elevator pitch ready.
You should be able to fire off in 30 seconds who you are, what you do, and what problems you can solve.
*Get a professional email address.
Superstud1953@xxxxxx.com might be who you think you are (not!) but doesn’t sound very professional. John.Smith@xxxxxx.com sounds better. Gmail addresses rather than yahoo also carry a certain aura about them of professionalism. You can also access a lot of great free tools through your Gmail account once you set it up.
Looking for a new job is about as much fun as going to the dentist if you don’t know how to approach it or don’t feel you are really a ‘people person’. But you can learn to network like a pro if you are willing to use as many tools at your disposal as you can to find a great new job as quickly as possible.
There is someone out there looking for someone exactly like you; you just have to find them. Use the ideas above and be creative; these are just the tip of the iceberg. Networking on the wider social network can not only help you find a job, it can also enable you to position yourself as an expert in your field who is well worth listening to.
For more information on how to create an prominent professional profile online, see: How to Raise Your Professional Profile Online
To learn more about interviewing skills, see: Questions You Need to Ask on Your Next Job Interview
To learn how to go viral on Twitter, see: How to Use Twitter for Viral Marketing
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