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Toronto Job & Career Fairs |
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How to Make a Net - Work
By:
David Blender
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Many job seekers are confused about
networking, and therefore doubt its effectiveness. Networking is the art of
building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships. So, like
anything else, networking requires a bit of practice and finesse, but if
done correctly, networking can be an invaluable part of your job search
campaign.
Here are a few tips that can help develop a network that works for you:
Be Patient
Networking doesn't happen overnight; it's a process. Networking is not just
something you can check off your job search list like "Send resume to
Pfizer".
While people may want to help you, they might not be able to do so right
away.Quite simply, you may not be the first item on their agenda. So, if
someone agrees to meet with you but can't do so immediately, accept their
offer graciously and patiently. Never let an opportunity to meet with
someone during the course of networking slip away. Always be open to
meeting!
Be Authentic and Kind
When you do meet with someone resulting from your scheduling attempts, take
a sincere interest in their life, not just the information or possible
assistance they can offer you. Don't push people for their knowledge or
connections and then abandon the relationship. Networking means fostering
relationships. This objective cannot be achieved by one person constantly
taking while the other person constantly gives information or time.
Relationships are built on trust and sharing over time.
Remember, one day you might be in a reverse career position; so be
considerate and respectful to all you meet. Find ways to periodically
reconnect with the contacts in your network to stay up to date on their
lives,and let them know that you genuinely care about what is going on with
them. Also, connecting and re-connecting, take the time to let them know
that their advice and counsel was heard and put to good use. Acknowledging
their individual value to you and to your career. Reinforcement of the time
and advice offered by those in your network will foster gratefulness,
awareness of their value to you and encourage them to continue helping you
and others.
Be a Conduit
Remember, the objective of networking is…well…more networking. You should be
constantly adding people to your list of contacts. Always find more contacts
to meet and, in turn, become a great connector yourself! Open up your
network to others. Hopefully they'll follow suit and do the same for you,
keeping the cycle going. Think about those contacts who could help others in
your network,then introduce them!
Be a Teacher
Keep in mind that not everyone you meet will understand what networking is
or how they can help you. Many people think that the best way they can help
you as a job seeker is to take your resume and pass it along to their human
resources department. While their intentions are noble, their strategy won't
help you and could actually wind up being counter-productive and
consequently,losing you a great job.
HR managers, like recruiters, are sometimes only motivated to take action on
your resume if there is a current job opening within the organization that
matches your skills. If a position is not available, they have no incentive
to contact you and the connection is lost.
Rather than giving your contacts a resume, ask them if they could introduce
you to a member of their company so that you can learn more about their
position, industry, and organization. This way, you'll learn more about the
company, share information about yourself, and begin to build a relationship
rather than ending up as just another resume lost at the bottom of the pile.
Be a Helper
Networking is all about reciprocity. No matter who you're dealing with, you
should always try to give more than you receive. For example, if you have
information about a particular company, industry, or educational program
that would be valuable to someone in your network, share it. By sharing you
will help others and in turn, others will help you.
Whether you're currently employed or job seeking is irrelevant - networking
is a constant process. Obviously, you'll be more on the receiving end of
your contacts' information when you're on the look out for a new job. But
that just means you need to work that much harder at giving information and
sharing your network while happily employed.
If you're constantly looking for ways to help people in your network achieve
their goals, they'll be much more likely to help you in return.
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David Blender is Director of
HealthCareer Advisors, LLC, a healthcare recruiting firm based in the US. He
possesses more than 25 years of experience in such areas as; professional
and practice development, executive search and recruiting, management
consulting, and investment banking. Visit us at:
HealthCareer Advisors, LLC
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