Don’t you sometimes feel that every time you meet someone and talk about careers, jobs and recruitment the first statement you always hear is “Have you sent out your CV yet?.”
That is the most frustrating statement because; going on recruitment portals or answering classifieds is like sending a piece of you into the unknown, who are these people? Do they really know you? Do they really need you? Would they even call you for an interview? Talk about Stress!
But it is 2015 after all, this decade dictates one rule: Network!
What does networking mean? It means creating a circle where you are known, followed, understood and appreciated. Basically, you need to sell yourself, yes, You are a product too. And like any product, you need to educate others on why they need to have you in their lives.
In order to sell yourself, you need to know yourself first:
Who are you?
That is your identity, your brand, your image, what you love doing and what you want to continue doing in your career.
What are your qualities?
Don’t start thinking certificates and degrees yet. Think of your personal qualities: are you persistent, consistent, hard working, punctual, creative….
Once you have gathered an idea of the image you want to project, now it is time for the medium.
While Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other social media networks are a good place to be present on, you might want to consider a more professional network (Like Jobzella, Have you created your account yet?). A professional social network is the best place to shine. You can connect with potential employers, follow your favorite companies and career influencers and you can also connect with peers in similar careers and learn from them.
Now that you have chosen your medium it is time for you to network, here are the top tips for networking professionally:
1- Be Consistent
Be online, share your thoughts, your tips, your portfolio, review projects and campaigns. Just remember, always be out there.
2- Choose wisely
Choose companies that are in your field and then follow them. Don’t go and ask for vacancies, instead, simply introduce yourself and your credentials will speak for themselves.
3- Build Relationships not opportunities
No one likes a guy or a girl in it for the vacancy alone, the key to successful networking is building solid informative and mutually beneficial relationships.
4- Not all connections are created equal
Building relationships with your peers is probably more important than just connecting to HR influencers, simple because your peers can refer you directly for job openings as well as help you grow and learn more about your mutual field.
5- Accomplishments matter
Even if you are employed, posting statements about your accomplishments and achievements reinforces the idea of how good you are at what you do and can get you headhunted for an even better job
6- Offer help
Not all jobs should be done for money or position, sometimes it helps to offer to help a peer out with a task or an operation just for the sake of demonstrating what you are capable of. That allows a potential employer to see, firsthand, what you can really do.
7- Be positive
No One wants a grouchy employee, if you are feeling particularly negative on a certain day or feel you have failed at something (we all have), don’t post about your negative experience. However, go ahead and admit your mistakes and share tips on what not to do in a similar situation. This positive statement will get you plenty of respect in your field.
8- Be Forthcoming
If you have discovered a tool that could help others in perfecting their jobs, share your tips and tricks. Being secretive is not really an option when it comes to the internet world and being forthcoming will get you plenty of appreciation on the network.
In a nutshell, forget about dropping CVs everywhere and start dropping some knowledge and experience. Make 2015 the year when you finally become an authority in your field. In little or no time, you will be setting at a desk working on your dream job. Good Luck.
Don’t forget to join Jobzella Today , the ultimate Professional Social Network out there.