The art of networking
Does the thought of approaching a stranger at a career fair cause your palms to break out in a cold sweat? Do you tend to lurk in the corner while dozens of potential employers in your field mill about? If so, you’re certainly not alone, and thankfully, there are many ways to network, says Susanne Thorup, manager of Concordia’s Career and Placement Services (CAPS).
“Networking is a scary word, and lots of people feel nervous about it, but at the end of the day, it’s just about introducing yourself and reaching out to people,” explains Thorup, whose team at CAPS is offering a workshop called Networking:
Making Career Connections on May 7. The session will teach participants how to create and leverage their networks using various strategies and skills to tap into the hidden job market.
“I went to a social networking workshop recently and learned that 80 per cent of jobs aren’t posted,” reports Thorup. “Social networking is the growing place to find jobs and internships: there’s a huge increase in the number of jobs being posted on LinkedIn and Twitter. They both have job boards, and it’s really important for students to create a strong, professional LinkedIn profile, and then network with friends, family, and alumni. You want to build relationships, and get introductions. Students can also follow companies of interest; companies are posting their jobs there.”
Thorup also suggests that job seekers join student groups associated with companies.
“For instance, I went to a workshop offered by an employer recently, and they have a virtual student group,” says Thorup. “They said they actually look at who’s in that student group before coming to recruit on campus, which is really important for students to be aware of.”
Informational interviewing is another great way to build relationships that can develop into potential job leads, adds Thorup.
“We can work with students on how to do outreach to both their own contacts and alumni through the use of LinkedIn groups. Students can then ask them what it’s like to work in their field; it’s a lot less scary that way because people love to talk about themselves, ” says Thorup. “That’s what’s wonderful about networking when you’re still in the information-seeking phase. You can go to them because you want to learn more about the field, while also making a contact in the industry that might come in handy later.”
Putting yourself out there means you’re likely to come to mind when employers look to fill positions, says Thorup.
“There are so many ways to do this, and introverts should not be intimidated,” she says.
Related links:?
• CAPS database
• List of workshops in Counselling and Development