Networking is a powerful tool to incorporate into your job search. While traditional job boards are important, 70% of jobs are filled by people who heard about them through their networks, so landing your dream job may hinge on “who you know.”
Through genuine connections, you can uncover hidden job opportunities, gain valuable industry insights and build mentor relationships. Let’s explore some practical networking strategies to help you land your next role.
What is networking?
More than just a buzzword, networking is about building lasting relationships. It’s about connecting with others and cultivating a professional community to exchange information, ideas and support. This should be an ongoing activity, not just something you start when you need a job and stop once you’re found one.
Networking also involves building your personal brand, both in person and online. Your interactions impact how others perceive you.
In the context of a job search, networking can:
- Give you access to the “hidden job market” – jobs that might not get posted online and are instead filled via referrals or a recruitment agency
- Provide insight into current trends and challenges in your field of work
- Help you find mentors to guide you
How to Grow Your Network
Often when people hear the word “networking” they think about networking events (which are certainly one place to network), but your network can be built almost anywhere!
- People you already know: You have a network already comprised of family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances, current/former classmates, etc.
- At work: Make an effort to get to know the people you work with and to stay in touch even after one of you moves on. This can include your direct team, colleagues in other departments and external contacts such as suppliers and partners.
- During activities: You can meet people through sports, hobbies or volunteering.
- Social media and other online communities: There are many online options; a good place to start is to join LinkedIn groups related to your industry or field of work and participate in conversations.
- While learning: Talk to other attendees in courses, workshops, conferences and seminars.
- Postsecondary institutions: If you’re a student or alumnus, explore clubs or groups available through your school.
- Local networking groups and events: We’ll discuss this more in the next section.
Networking Events
As you can see, there are many places and ways to expand your network! Networking events are also a great option:
How to Find Networking Events
An online search for “networking events in [insert your city name]” will likely turn up results. You can also look more specifically for:
- Professional associations (common for accounting, HR, engineering, etc.)
- Job fairs
- Industry trade shows
- University/college alumni associations
- Groups focused on specific topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, technology or women in business
- Chambers of Commerce and other local business associations
- Specific companies may host networking events or job fairs – check out the websites for organizations where you are interested in working
The key is to start somewhere, and as you meet people, find out what other events or groups are out there!
Before You Go
Before you attend any networking event, it can be beneficial to do some preparation:
- Have a goal in mind—what do you hope to accomplish there?
- Be prepared to talk about yourself and have an elevator pitch ready
- If it’s a registered event, some organizers are willing to provide you with a guest list ahead of time, to give you an idea of who else will be there
- Mentally prepare some questions that you can ask so you don’t get stuck with nothing to say
- Order some basic business cards or create a digital business card for your phone
- Update your resume so it’s ready to email afterwards if you get any job leads
Attending at a Networking Event
- Dress appropriately: This will vary depending on the type of event, but put some thought into how you are presenting yourself.
- Bring a friend or colleague: You can act as each other’s ‘wingman’ to feel more confident, facilitate introductions or help when you’re corned in a conversation.
- Talk to people: This is the hardest part if you find networking intimidating, but if you want to get any benefit out of an event, you’ll have to meet people! If you’re nervous about initiating conversations, choose an event that starts with a keynote speaker, with the networking afterwards, and then you can talk about the content of the presentation.
- Balance listening and talking: Don’t monopolize the conversation, but if you want people to get to know you, you’ll have to talk about yourself too.
After the Event
When you get home from the event:
- Connect with people you met on LinkedIn
- Add contacts from business cards to your phone (in case you lose the card)
- Send any follow-up information that you promised (i.e. a copy of your resume, a link to an article you discussed, etc.)
- Schedule any follow up activities agreed upon with other event attendees, such as a coffee meeting or informational interview
How to leverage your network during a job search
So, after you’ve made the effort of building a network, how do you tap into that network when you’re looking for a new job?
Let People Know You’re Looking
Most importantly, you need to let your network know that you’re looking. People are often happy to introduce you to potential employers or recruiters, help you with your resume or send you links to relevant jobs they see online. Reach out to family, friends and professional connections letting them know you’re on the hunt and what kind of position you’re seeking.
If it’s safe for you to be open about your job search online, enable the Open to Work feature on LinkedIn, which will be visible to people in your network as well as recruiters and hiring managers. Make it easier for others to help you by ensuring your profile is updated with an accurate work history (that matches your resume) and an ‘About’ section that acts as a cover letter, explaining what you’re seeking and what you offer a potential employer.
Informational Interviews
You can reach out to people in your network to book an informational interview—an informal conversation with a person working in a career that interests you. Informational interviews give you insights into the realities of working within a particular job, learn about career paths you may not know about and get job search tips.
Mentorship
You may be able to establish a more formal mentorship relationship with someone within your network. Finding a mentor with deep experience in your profession can help you better understand the requirements for specific jobs within the field, potential gaps in your qualifications, obstacles you may encounter in your job search and factors to consider in an employer.
Network for Success
By actively expanding and nurturing your professional connections, you open doors to new opportunities.
Keep in mind that networking is not just about what others can do for you, but also how you can contribute to your professional community. Approach networking with curiosity, authenticity and a willingness to help others.
Whether you’re attending an event, engaging online or striking up conversations in your daily life, each interaction has the potential to lead you closer to your next job and a fulfilling career!