A key skill in any career is networking and specifically when you need to network to improve your job search. This means when you are expanding your contacts to find the type of job you want in your preferred industry.
Job networking seems easy in concept and yet so many of us avoid it. Maybe we avoid it because we fear it, like public speaking. Or maybe we don’t make a conscious effort to take advantage of opportunities to network or seek out new opportunities. Or maybe our barrier is we don’t know how to network. This article will help you with all three.
Where can you network for a job?
Start to consider every new person you meet as a potential resource in your job search and a potential resource for your future success. They may have the perfect job for you or they may know the best person who will help you find your dream job. Here are a few ideas of where you can network for a job:
- work events
- in the lunch room
- on work projects
- at industry events
- at associations and clubs
- in your place of worship
- during volunteer activities
- at career fairs
- outreach phone calls
- at parties
- during family gatherings
- on social media like LinkedIn and Facebook
- In line getting lunch or on public transportation
- AT NATIONAL CONVENTION
4 Tips for Job Networking
Once you know how you plan to job network, then consider what you have to say to get the information you need and practice saying it until it becomes natural because this will help your confidence and reduce your discomfort. Keep your head up, speak clearly and slowly and remember to smile.
- Greet and introduce.
Introduce yourself and state your name and that you are seeking a new job and the industry you are interested in. For example: “Good afternoon. My name is Yasmin . My last employer was Montgomery County Services and I’m looking for a position in customer service or an administrative support position. Ideally I want to work in a nonprofit organization or government agency that helps disabled people.”
- share a concise summary of your skills and experiences.
Think about the experiences and skills that you have and list them in order of most importance to the type of role you want. For example: “My role as a customer service representative and prior positions as an administrative assistant enabled me to demonstrate skills like good communication, time management, follow through, attention to detail, problem solving and maintaining a positive attitude.”
- Be your own sales person.
Salespeople are good at making the product necessary and desirable to the recipient. Sales people also request what they want you to do – sometimes it is referred to as the ask. So if you are your own sales person, selling the product of you as an employee, you need to be able to ask for the job. For example: “Does your organization have positions that will fit my skills and experience?” Another example: “Since your company does not have any current roles that may be a fit for me, can you refer me to another person who may need a great employee like me? “
The third step also requires you to take note of the contact information of the person you are speaking to and any referrals they share. There are many ways to document this information so practice the one that is most comfortable and efficient for you. Here are some ways to document the contact information:
- Type into your phone contacts
- Take a picture of a business card
- record a voice memo
- send a text or email to yourself
- write it with a slate & stylus
- Air drop your contact information
- Ask them to text or email you on the spot
- Scan each other’s QR codes
The NFB Muslims group provided an in-depth training on digital contact cards and the links to that training recording and the Power Point can be found at https://www.nfbmd.org/employment.
- Wrap up and follow up.
Be sure to thank them for their time and their suggestions and tell them you will connect again in a few weeks. If they referred you to someone else, tell them you will use their name as the referral. For example: “Thank you so much for your valuable time and information you shared with me. I have enjoyed meeting you and I will connect with you again in two weeks. I’ll use your name when I reach out to your suggested connections.”
You are ready to go and start networking for a job. You have thought about where you will meet new people and ask for job leads. You also prepared and practiced what you are going to say so you feel and sound confident and assured and you are ready with an efficient way to document the contact information you gathered. Good Luck!
Sources:
Job Leads Worksheet.The National Research Training Center for Blindness & Low Vision at Mississippi State University.
Submitted by Pam Goodman, NFB of Maryland Employment Committee.