“Networking” - the word sounds scary. What’s worse is that everyone tells you that it’s an essential step to finding a job. But what if I told you that you’re already networking every day, and all you need to do for a successful job search is to refine your focus slightly.
An extended job search is really tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. How many people in your network know that you’re looking for work? I’m talking about your friends, your ex-colleagues, people at the gym or your grocery store. The more people who know you’re actively jobseeking, the more people can be on the lookout for jobs for you - or will think of you if they come across job opportunities in their daily lives.
The more people who know you’re jobseeking, the wider your network
Networking for your job search doesn’t have to happen at specific events or times. It’s best done one-on-one among people who are already in your community. Instead of “engaging in networking”, call up an old friend or co-worker to meet up for a coffee (or beer) and a chat.
It’s one thing to be always talking to people - but how can you take it a step further? You can stand out in your community by offering your services to people, or simply showing up for them. How do you do this? It’s exactly the same as before - let people know that you have things to offer! If you’re a member of a community group, this could be as simple as arriving early at meetings to help set up, or staying later to pack down. Can you offer a little bit of time to clean or do any light maintenance to support your community? Volunteering like this is doubly effective - you can gain work experience while expanding your network with people who will want to help you in turn.
Instead of thinking about networking, ask yourself “what is one thing I can do today that will make someone smile?”. Send a text to an old friend, ask a colleague if they want to have lunch, or offer to help someone who may need it. It’s a first step that could make your network grow and land you a new job.