Whether you’re looking to transition into a new industry, move up the career ladder, or simply explore new opportunities, networking is an indispensable part of your career. Knowing the best networking tips can make a huge impact, especially for job seekers. 

It is a known fact that many jobs are filled internally through referrals and recommendations before they are advertised. Despite this, a study by Hubspot shows that one in four professionals will not network at all. This is majorly because they do not know the best ways to go about it.

In this article, we’ll examine some of the best networking tips for job seekers. These tips will help you create long-term, beneficial relationships that help you land better jobs and accelerate your career trajectory.

The importance of Networking For Job Seekers

1) Land better job opportunities: According to Pinpoint, Referred candidates are seven times more likely to be hired than those applying via job boards.This means that having a solid network can give you indirect access to job openings before they’re publicly advertised.

2) Easier access to career advice and resources: Connecting with industry professionals allows you to access their knowledge and the plethora of career opportunities they have. Engaging with others in your industry also gives you access to new trends, techniques, and industry best practices.

3) Career mentorship opportunities: One of the most impactful benefits of networking is gaining access to career mentorship opportunities. Start by identifying people in your field whose work you admire and aspire to, then send a personalized message to them on professional platforms like LinkedIn.

4) Long-lasting relationships: The biggest impact of networking is gaining a life-long connection that can become important at a time you least expect.

The best Networking Tips For Job seekers

Networking is more than just a job-hunting strategy; it’s a lifelong skill that can benefit your career at every stage. This is why mastery of this skill should be a priority to professionals, whether just starting out or established.

1) Initiate Conversations

Some people find initiating conversations daunting, yet a simple “hello” can do the trick. With the advent of social media, connecting is only a step away. All you need to do is craft a compelling message.

Initiating conversations doesn’t have to be limited to professionals at industry events alone.

It could be making an acquaintance at a coffee shop, a game, a party, or a gym. If you’re an introvert or deal with social anxiety, you can take courses that can help you fight your fear or start small by dedicating even an hour weekly to making new online connections.

2) Connect on Social media

While social media is indeed social, it is still a great place to make new professional connections. 

Stay active by engaging with your followers/ connections by liking, commenting on, or sharing their posts.

Optimize your profile by including your roles and interests and sharing post updates about your work or projects. You can also share valuable content related to your field, which will keep you top of mind.

3) Leverage Your Existing Network: 

While exploring new terrain to expand your network is a good idea, ensure you do not neglect the relationships you’ve already built. These include former colleagues, classmates, past managers, etc.

These individuals are already familiar with you, which makes them able to give credible recommendations about your character, work ethic, and strengths in case of referral requests.

4) Network Vertically & Horizontally

Whenever people think of networking, they instantly think about connecting with industry experts who can easily recommend them for a better job opportunity or even a speaking engagement.

However, networking with peers allows you to connect with people who share the same vision and challenges as you. This means you can build, rub ideas, and navigate complex situations together etc.

Networking beneath also gives you a chance to mentor someone coming up ahead of you. Sometimes, you may find that even people beneath you in the career ladder can inform you of opportunities you may have missed.

5) Build Genuine Relationships

One mistake people make when networking is immediately asking for favors from someone who knows nothing about them.Instead, focus on genuinely connecting with them and their interests and even offering yourself of value to them first.

Nobody wants to feel like they are being used solely as a tool to achieve an aim. Aim to be of value first before asking for value.

6) Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to make new connections, especially if you are a job seeker.  It connects you to people who are passionate about the same things you are. 

It also allows you to demonstrate your skills and work ethic to potential employers in a real-world setting.

Expanding your connections to even people who are not necessarily in the same industry as you can be a plus. This means that when everyone thinks of someone in your field, it is you who likely first comes to mind.

7) Pay For Courses That Include Peer-to-Peer Mentorship & Accountability

Paying for courses can be a great way to connect with people with like minds in similar industries.

Peer-to-peer accountability also means you have people who can challenge you and keep you accountable to your career goals and aspirations.

8) Join Online Communities

From Discord and Slack Communities to Facebook groups, many industry-driven communities offer helpful resources that you can join. Offering helpful resources to community members is another way to connect with them.

Online communities remove the geographical and time barriers often associated with in-person networking events.

9) Attend Industry events and conferences.

In-person and virtual networking events, such as conferences and webinars, are great opportunities to make new connections.

During such events, ensure you dress your best and let your personality shine through during conversations. It can help to prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your career journey interestingly. Be sure to ask genuine questions that show interest and genuine curiosity about the people you meet.

After a conversation, send connection requests immediately and a follow-up message to ensure you’re top of mind. 

10) Follow Up and Keep In Touch:  

Following up is just as essential as keeping in touch. Sometimes, a contact may not seem valuable in the present but will be of immense help to you only after months or even years of staying in touch.

Following up can simply mean furthering a conversation, sending a direct message about their posts, or sharing useful information that you think may be beneficial to them. 

Land Your Next Role: Start Networking Today

Building genuine, long-term, meaningful relationships can be a great way to accelerate your career growth. By leveraging these networking tips, you will not only get your next job faster but also have the opportunity to expand your connections, increase your visibility, and better position yourself in your industry.

Remember that networking takes time and effort, so start small, be consistent, and seek to build genuine, long-lasting relationships.