The best way to jumpstart your career is to build your professional network. The right connection can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
A resume is a color-less piece of paper. Employers often have hundreds of applicants to sift through. Unless your resume is particularly appealing, it’s very difficult to stand out from the pile.
So what can you do? Get to know the hiring manager. Studies show that people like hiring their friends.
If you’re just getting started in your career, you might not have a strong network yet. It’s your job to meet as many people as you can. You never know who may help you out one day.
The following advice will help you build networks.
Talk to Your Friends
Your current social group has value. Some of the people that you already interact with might be able to help you get a job.
Put out a gentle feeler that you’re in the market. People love to be helpful. Just try to not to be too persistent.
If a friend or family member does set you up with a job, remember to say thank you. Small tokens of gratitude go a long way.
Attend Industry Events
A great way to network is to attend industry conferences and events. If you speak to your boss, you might be able to convince the company to pay for your expenses. After all, the goal of the event is to better prepare you for your job.
Even if you have to pay for everything yourself, it might still be worth it to attend a conference. You can meet the leading minds in your field.
Read more now to learn about a conference that you might be interested in attending.
Beef up Your Online Presence
Make yourself easy to find by potential job prospects. If you have a LinkedIn account, keep it updated with current information. Headhunters scour the site looking for fresh talent.
You can also establish yourself as an expert in your field with your social media accounts. For example, are you trying to get a job as a programmer?
Then you should start commenting on sites geared toward programmers and programming questions. Anyone who wants to hire you can read your answers and get a sense of your ability.
Print New Business Cards
You should hand your business card to most people that you meet. It’s a slow but steady way to grow your professional network. People will remember you if they ever need your services.
Multiple companies will deliver on-demand business cards. If you work in a high-end industry, you should splurge on nice cards. It’s what people expect.
Build Networks
Being a modern business professional isn’t easy. However, you have access to information that would have been inaccessible to the average business person in previous years. The internet has changed everything.
Trying to build networks for your professional career may not be fun, but it is necessary. Read more of our blog if you want strategies to be successful. We love providing clarity to entrepreneurs.
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