Job Seekers: Networking Strategies To Access The Hidden Job Market

I went into research mode, and guess what? Not a lot has changed: All of the articles I read about networking were consistent with what I have preached for over 10 years. Here are 9 ways to help you expand your networking:

• Know your goals

• Acknowledge your value

• Identify thought leaders

• Consider who you already know

• Hone your outreach list to expand networking opportunities

• Identify relevant spaces for professional networking

• Practice your pitch to build networking skills

• Say hi

• Remain engaged

Now, what I just wrote sounds smart, consistent, and somewhat easy to do, yes? But once again, this is not easy for most!! Just the word “Networking” scares off at least 60% of the job market. They don’t feel comfortable doing it, they don’t know where to start, and or they don’t feel it is necessary. So, what about the other 40%? They try, they have reached the bottom of everyone they have already reached out to, and now they think, what else? Hopefully, they continue to network, always reaching out to others. But are they doing it the right way? Who is to say what is right and wrong when networking? What if you can only do four things out of nine? What if you can only do one?  

So many questions about networking: how, why, who, what, where? Yes, I realize I just wrote the 5 questions you learn in 5th grade when writing a story. But isn’t your resume and how you network all about your story? What you offer, how you work, why you do what you do, (my favorite), where do I start?

Networking isn’t for everyone. Should you try it? Yes!! But if it isn’t your style, than don’t. Believe it or not, applying, connecting, being consistent and mostly, KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU OFFER ANY EMPLOYER, is the most important.

Want to know more? Have questions, what ifs? Reach out to me. Let me keep you, you, but elevated😊