Networking is a word that makes some people excited and others nervous. It is an activity as old as business itself. However, networking has changed significantly through the past decades. The single biggest change factor has been the invention of the Internet and the social media. Before these technological inventions, networking occurred in golf courses or specific networking events organized by local chambers of commerce or a variety of professional organizations. To a certain degree, these older forms of networking still exist but there is no denying that a lot of it now occurs via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. There are other platforms as well and some that once existed but are now extinct. These social media sites are quite effective and constantly evolving. However, these platforms are far from perfect especially if your focus is job search.
One of the challenges with the social media platforms is that they are not very specific in terms how the way people use them. There are a large variety of reason for people interacting in social media and job search is just one of them. Some people are there for their own entertainment and sharing what interests them. Others are there for specific purposes such as promoting a political message or educating people about causes. One can spend countless of hours scrolling through social media sites without finding anything truly helpful. It would be far more ideal if there would be a job search site with social media functionality that would allow people to network for the sole purpose of job search. This way job searchers or job posters would not have to scroll throw all the other content just to find what is meaningful for them. However, this is not the way social media sites work and why most people post there. Social media platforms are not intended for job search alone.
Social media is also used a lot for business development and selling, and sometimes people may feel that the only reason people try to connect with them is because they are trying to sell something. This is, of course, also the case with the traditional forms of networking. There is nothing wrong with marketing and selling and job searchers are not necessary very different. When a person is job searching, they are not selling a product or a service per se. They are, instead, “selling” their own skills and capabilities. They are marketing themselves in hopes of getting a job. Ironically, job-search networking is not really about job search. Instead, it is about connecting with people and being introduced to people on-line or off-line (Hill, 2012). Networking is the way one develops vital professional relationships that can lead to job opportunities. While it is about personal branding and marketing, it is more about relationships. It is not about the people you know but about people who know you (Hill, 2012). Your goal should be to get yourself known by the right decision makers that can help you to land a job. Determining who these people are is not always easy and requires research and creativity. Sometimes you must search the Internet for the background information about these decision makers. An artificial intelligence powered job search portal with built in social networking function could be a way to make this a bit easier. The research could be automated so that a job search networker would be able to learn about important decision makers and identify them.
Networking is a learned skill that takes times to develop. Good networkers are authentic and genuine. They do not come across as somebody who is seeking to take advantage of people or only to sell something. They are sincerely interested in getting to know people and learning from others. Perhaps the best way to summarize what networking should be, is to quote words of Michelle Tullier: “Networking, ideally, should not be something you do only when you need a job, have a critical decision to make, reach a snag in your career, or are trying to get a business off the ground. Networking needs to be incorporated into your daily life as a regular activity—in fact, not even as an activity, but rather as a way of life” (Tullier, 2004, p.307).
Networking should be a continuous and constant activity utilizing many different channels and methods. Starting online is convenient but it is also necessary to attend a variety of networking events in person. Depending on the field, professional conferences are also very effective forums to get to know people. It is important to be systematic about networking and remember who you have already met. Approaching people takes tact and emotional intelligence. It also requires a certain level of cultural sensitivity, and a large dose of good communication skills. With practice you can become an expert networker or at least a decent one. It is not difficult, but it does require a certain open mindedness and a positive attitude.
References:
Paul Hill. (2012). The Panic Free Job Search: Unleash the Power of the Web and Social Networking to Get Hired. Career Press.
Tullier, L. M. (2004). Networking for Job Search and Career Success: Vol. 2nd ed. Jist Publishing
