While submitting your cover letter, resume, selection criteria responses and attending an interview are generally in response to advertised opportunities, networking can also be part of your job search strategy.
Networking involves building and maintaining meaningful relationships that can help you grow professionally, providing opportunities and opening doors that you may not have considered. Whether you’re attending in-person events or navigating the virtual space, aim to connect authentically and learn from others.
Step 1: Define your networking goals
Determine what you hope to achieve, ideally your network will become supporters of your career. Ask for people for information, insights and about their experience. Avoid asking for a job – if they have an opportunity for you, they will let you know.
Step 2: Engage authentically
Approach networking as a way to build genuine relationships. Being interested in other people’s ideas and experiences will ensure you build strong, long-term connections. Authentic connections are more likely to lead to meaningful opportunities and collaborations.
Step 3: Focus on meaningful connections
Go to networking events with the intent of having genuine conversations with a few people rather than focusing on meeting a large number of people. Be intentional in your follow up and stay connected.
Step 4: Engage in informational interviewing
Ask to meet with professionals working in the field that interests you and conduct an informational interview. This provides an opportunity to ask insightful questions regarding their experience and journey, gaining an understanding of what experience is valued.
Step 5: Network virtually
Utilise LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. LinkedIn offers various features designed to facilitate networking and professional development, including messaging, recommendations and content creation which can attract new connections and build your network.
For more information, search ‘networking’ in UniHub’s Resource Library or take the Getting a Job Challenge online.
Best of luck in your job search.
This article was written by Career Development Consultant, Carol Erkes.
