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#JobSearch : Networking is a Critical Part in Finding Your Next Job. If you Didn’t Understand the Importance of, or Need for, Networking Before 2020, you Probably Do Now!

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I can say that 2020 was an unprecedented year that hit many of us where we work! The number of people unemployed for at least part of the year is staggering. For some, that unemployment became permanent. Job searching through online vehicles became more important than ever, with social distancing and lockdowns in place.

If you didn’t understand the importance of, or need for, networking before 2020, you probably do now!

 

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Depending on where you are in your career, here are some aspects to networking for you to consider:

  • Start early. If you’re fresh out of college or if you’re trying to get a foothold in a new career move, the sooner you start making those connections, the better off you’ll be. Reach out to classmates or find student chapters of professional societies. It is easier to maintain relationships that you already have than to start out cold. If you’re freelancing, cultivate more connections whenever you possibly can, from fellow freelancers or from your clients themselves.
  • Choose wisely. Unfortunately, a down job market also brings the scammers and fly-by-nighters out of the woodwork. They know that there are job seekers (and sometimes clients) who are bordering on desperation. They might be out to take advantage of you, or they might be looking for a pawn to help advance a cause of some sort. You don’t want that hung on you, so tread carefully and make good decisions.
  • Cast a net wide. Don’t limit yourself to just your field or to people with tastes, interests, or skills to your own. It’s easy to make this mistake and to just have associates that are in your “comfort zone.” What happens if your industry takes a nose dive? You will need to consider pivoting to something new, and those connections in other fields can be an asset. Remember that the wider your network of people, the more resources you can have to fall back on if things go sour.
  • Quid pro quo. Networking is a two-way street. If there’s anything you can do for your associates in return, whether it’s job referrals, professional references, or anything else, don’t hesitate to do it. It will pay off for you in the long run.
  • Go online. Make a plan to utilize your social media to network with potential connections every day. LinkedIn is the #1 professional networking site, so ensure your profile is up-to-date and set for recruiters to find you.

With record numbers of job seekers vying for every open position and hiring managers overwhelmed with resumes, this is a challenging time to be in a job search. That’s why networking is even more important today than ever before.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog |  January 12, 2021