Table of Contents
Introduction
The importance of a network of professionals should not be ruled out when you are in a job search. Professional networks must become part of everyday work endeavours and career paths. Your career network must be in the right place when you need it.
Whether to look for a job or to move along the career ladder. Since you never know when you might need it, having an active professional network makes sense, even if you don’t need it today.
Purpose of Professional Network
Professional or “professional” networks include using personal, professional, academic or family contacts to help find a job, achieve career goals, or learn more about your field or any other area you want to work in.
Be an excellent way to hear about jobs or get a job in the company you want to work for.
More than 80% of job seekers say their network has helped them find work. Network contacts can help with more than jobs. They can provide referrals or internal information about companies you may be interested in working with.
They can provide information about career areas you might want to explore or what looks like a job market on the other side of the country. Your network can give you tips on where to find jobs or review your CV. The possibilities are endless.
Why Spend Time in Professional Networks?
Networks can help you recruit and help you develop your career. LinkedIn reports:
In 2016, 70% of people were employed in a company they had contact with professional individuals.
Eighty per cent of professionals consider professional networks necessary for professional success.
Thirty-five per cent of specialists surveyed say an informal conversation on LinkedIn Messaging has led to a new opportunity.
Sixty-one per cent of professionals agree that regular online interaction with their professional networks can lead to potential job opportunities.
Who Can You Communicate With?
- Former or current co-workers, colleagues, managers, supervisors or employees.
- Existing or existing customers and customers.
- Business Partners.
- Graduates of your university or graduate school.
- The knowledge you know from your personal life.
- The knowledge you know through your wife or family.
- People from your church, gym, yoga studio or community organization.
- Former teachers or professors, or attendees.
Anyone you meet and have a productive and professional conversation about the course of your career!
Top Professional Network Tips
Include the right people: Your career network should include anyone who can help you find a job or transition. It can consist of former and current co-workers, business bosses, friends with similar interests, colleagues from business associations, graduates from your university, or acquaintances you’ve met via online networking services. Your network can also include family, neighbours and anyone who may have a connection to help you.
Stay connected:
Work on your network: Don’t just call those who can help when you’ve been fired from your job or decide you want to find a new job. Stay in touch with your network – even if it’s just a brief email to greet and ask how it works. People are more willing to benefit when they know who you are.
Online: The online job search network works.
Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and other online network sites can help you connect to other networks in specific companies, with college links or in a particular geographic area. In addition, if you are a university graduate, your organization may have a career network for graduates that you can access.
When communicating with people you don’t know, ensure you know what you want—looking for company information? Do you want to know about jobs? Be specific about what you’re asking for.
Attending networking events: Connecting with people also works. If you belong to a professional association, participate in a meeting or a mistake.
You will find that many participants have the same goals as you do and will be happy to exchange business cards. If your alma mater college conducts alumni outreach events (many schools keep them in locations across the country), make sure they attend. There are many different types of communication events that you can attend.