Given the approaching end-of-year and the easing job market, it is essential that you are doing all you can to ensure you have access to 100% of the job market. It is estimated that only approximately 20% of jobs are advertised, this means that 80% of jobs come from the hidden job market. A great way to access the hidden job market is through gaining and maintaining relationships with your network. An employee at a company is always looking for ways in which they may be able to save the company money and if that means hiring a new employee without advertising, then it is in their best interest to inform all their job-seeking connections about an up-coming vacancy.
Networking is simply about forming associations and building relationships with people involved in the profession you are working in/would like to work in. But for some people the term ‘networking’ is enough to send shivers of dread and sweaty palms. Done well, it can set you apart from other candidates and leave a good impression with those who may be involved in recruitment. Done poorly, people may come across as fake or self-serving. The other extreme is not networking at all and sticking with a group of familiar people. This doesn’t help you in the long run.
This article aims to give some tricks to make networking more manageable and natural for the budding networker.
Don’t think of it as networking!
Some people get turned off at the word ‘networking’ because this makes connections seem false and only meant for personal gain. Think of your meeting as making new friendships with people and genuine connections.Be genuine
Ask friendly questions to build rapport and to show that you’re genuinely interested in what the other person has to say. Such questions may include: “what do you do at XX company? How is the work like at XX company?”Don’t feel like you need to stand out
You don’t have to be the funniest person or the smartest in the room. Having those expectations on yourself will just reinforce the ‘networking’ fears and again you can end up feeling fake.Don’t feel like you need to ‘agree’ with everything
Having an individual opinion and stating so shows that you are an independent thinker. But challenge within reason and be open to other’s opinions – this shows your team work abilities too.Find like-minded individuals
Begin by find someone who engages at your level (that you feel comfortable with) and spend a bit of time ‘practicing’ your networking questions and behaviour - that can also build your confidenceDon’t aim too high (at first)
If networking is hard in general don’t go to the CEO of your dream company at your first go. Get to know the staff and managers below the CEO – know a bit about that CEO indirectly and gain that initial confidence before you meet them face-to-face and try your networking skills. Getting to know the CEO and the company beforehand would also show that you did your research.Keep in contact
This is one tip people generally tend to forget. Just because you meet and had a good conversation with someone once doesn’t mean they’d remember you forever. Share business cards and keep in contact with the person. For example, if you had an interesting discussion about Australia’s financial instability send a follow-up email with a relevant article/paper you’ve read. This not only shows YOU’VE remembered that person but that you are up to date with the latest happenings in your field. Maintaining a genuine connection with the person means validating the conversation you’ve had.Networking is about getting to know people in your profession. Building these good connections may help you get a job in the company, build new friendships and people who could help you further your career. The first unmentioned step is to get in and start! A handy place to start would be the Career Exchange website itself, find employers who have advertised in the past or employers who you see frequently advertise and give them a call. You never know, they may have the perfect role for you around the corner in 2016.
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