Networking Strategies - How to Make Who You Know Work for You

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There are dozens of clichés about the importance of relationships in finding jobs, and these clichés contain a great deal of truth. Surveys demonstrate that networking is the most common method of finding a job. One study of recruiters found that 44% of new hires came from networking/referrals. This result out-paced the 28% of new employees who came via job postings.

Networking conjures up images of spending hours meeting new people. If you have personal responsibilities and/or are currently employed, you might wonder how to find time for networking. Here are some straightforward networking tips to make the most of your time.

Reconnect with People

Do not limit yourself to current friends and professional contacts. Reach out to friends and professional associates from the past. One study found that these “dormant relationships” provided more job search assistance than current relationships. If you are on LinkedIn, reach out to old connections and let them know you are in the job market. Contact fellow members of honor societies and professional organizations, too.

Facebook for Job Networking

Facebook has a bad reputation as a time waster. However, 65% of recruiters use it to search for candidates, and 83% of people use it as part of their job search (http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2015/02/05/four-ways-to-use-facebook-to-find-a-jobfour-ways-to-use-facebook-to-find-a-job/2/). Changing your status and sending messages to friends are the common uses. I recommend following these steps to network on Facebook.

1. Type the phrase ‘people who work at’ in the find friends search bar and the name of the hospital or medical group that interests you.
2. When the list appears, scroll down and see if you have any mutual friends with the employees.
3. Once you identify someone who has a mutual friend, ask the mutual friend if he or she can introduce you to the person at your target organization.
4. Now that you have made the acquaintance of the person at your target employer, request that he or she forward your résumé to the hiring manager.

Since Facebook has over $1B members, while LinkedIn has approximately 300M on its site, make sure you incorporate Facebook in your search efforts (http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2015/02/05/four-ways-to-use-facebook-to-find-a-jobfour-ways-to-use-facebook-to-find-a-job/2/).

Be Complementary and Complimentary

Networking is not limited to people in your discipline; it is beneficial to reach out to people in complementary fields. A Registered Nurse might call or email doctors that he or she worked with in the past. A doctor might want to reach out to a healthcare executive that he or she knows. This complementary approach means that you are not just spending your time with potential competitors.

It is also important to show appreciation to anyone who assists in your job search. There is not always a strong sense of reciprocity between employers and employees, but people continue to place a premium on others who assist them. Make sure you send a brief thank-you note to anyone who helps you get a face-to-face interview. If you land an offer due to someone’s efforts, let him or her know and send that person a small gift.

Be Professional and Consistent

You need to project a professional image to achieve networking success. For instance, always give notice when you leave a position and keep any exit interview comments strictly professional. You never want to “burn any bridges,” because you might have to work with someone again at a later date.

Consistency in networking is also important. Many people find themselves in situations where things are deteriorating at work, and then they panic. Develop habits such as commenting or liking people’s Facebook or LinkedIn work-related blogs and do not make yourself a stranger at professional gatherings.

There is a truism that it is best to look for a job when you have a job. If you gradually incorporate strategies such as reaching out, connecting via social media, and maintaining a professional image, you will build a strong network of contacts that is there when you need it.