Summary: These four tips can help you get your resume to the top of the recruiter list from growing a contact list to readying your résumé.
Meet Like-Minded Peers and Colleagues Through Networking
Networking is about connecting with coworkers and fellow professionals, and it’s an essential activity at every stage of your career, whether you’re growing an entrepreneurial endeavor or trying to break into an industry. According to Hubspot, as many as 85% of job seekers find listings through networking, and CNBC reports that 70% of jobs are never published publicly due to insider networking (Apollotechnical.com, 2023). Networking can help you meet new people with similar interests and exchange ideas and information. In this article, we offer some tips for effective networking.
Grow a Contact List
Begin your network by starting a list of your family and friends who may know others in the career field you wish to join. Ask them to introduce you via email or in person to people with similar career interests. You can also meet people in your career field by joining professional organizations, attending job fairs, classes, or courses, and joining groups like Tallo Community. Introduce yourself and share your contact information or have business cards made ready to hand out.
Make a Connection
Remember that networking is about building relationships rather than making contacts. After introductions, begin building a connection by sharing your common interest in the career, asking for career advice, or asking about their pathway to this career. Share where you are on your career journey. If you are looking for a job in this career field, don’t be afraid to share that information. Ask for tips or insights into how they found their current position or how they have continued to grow as a professional.
Networking is not just about job searching; its main benefit is exchanging meaningful information and opportunities. Most workers are happy to answer questions that contribute to their profession’s overall growth and development.
Ready Your Résumé
Keep in contact with colleagues through email or digital platforms. Trust your instincts! Determine if you can share your résumé or ask about any known job openings. This may be early in the conversation with a colleague or later as a professional relationship develops. Colleagues may also know and offer insights about the working environments of jobs in other or related companies. Having a working relationship with others in your career field can also alert you to changes in the industry and how to address those changes.
Check Out Search Results
It’s important to have a professional personal and digital image. You can start by googling your name and seeing what currently, if anything, is posted on the internet. Review your social media presence. Scrub or remove any postings or comments that might appear improper or unethical. Remember that recruiters, hiring managers, HR personnel, and colleagues may review your social media presence before making personal contact.
Create a professional digital profile on LinkedIn, Tallo, and other career, business, or educational platforms. Make professional connections on these platforms by adding people you may know. Post or repost helpful career information, cheer on colleagues, and follow or like companies of interest. Maintain a friendly yet professional manner when connecting with colleagues through digital platforms, email, or messaging.
A Support Network of Connections
Networking is about lifelong career connections, even after you have found a job. It helps boost your professional confidence, improves your communication skills, and allows you to meet people at all professional levels. Through networking, you also gain greater access to professional development opportunities. Having a network of professional relationships can also support you through the everyday challenges of your job—in other words, a network of colleagues can have your back.
