Networking for Jobs: How to Build Connections and Land Your Dream Job

Being out of work is always stressful, and it becomes even worse when you’re trying and it looks like your efforts are going nowhere. Most aspirants are well aware of the feeling that comes with applying to hundreds of positions but hearing nothing back. Even after crafting your resume to perfection, there is still no guarantee that you’ll land the job, and that’s where networking for jobs comes in.

It might be surprising for you, but almost 70 percent of jobs aren’t published on job websites. It means even if you’re applying for jobs regularly, you’re only fighting for 30 percent of jobs. 85 percent of jobs are filled via networks (personal and professional connections).

Having a network that can help you when you’re seeking a new job can be a lifesaver. A robust resume is excellent, but it doesn’t really matter if it never reaches the manager’s desk. So, let’s begin understanding how you can build connections to land your dream job.

Tips to Do Networking for Jobs

Let’s describe how to network for jobs in detail and explore different avenues of it.

Utilize Your Existing Network

You should first utilize the network you already have instead of exploring new territories. Networking for jobs with people you already know is much easier instead of connecting with new people because you know they care about you. Create a map of people you know so you know whom to contact first and the ones to avoid.

Here’re a few questions you can ask them so that they understand your goals:

• Do you have any information about new job openings?
• What’s your career path, and what’s the company you’re working at now?
• Can you connect me to relevant people in the field?

Make sure you’re engaging with them the way they like. Some prefer chats, while others prefer phone calls. For others, emails are the way to go. Ask them what they prefer not to be too intrusive, and get something positive out of them.

Leverage Social Media

Social media can be a powerful tool for networking for jobs by connecting you with different professionals and businesses. For instance, you can search for Facebook groups dedicated to your associated industry. You can ask any questions and have detailed discussions with experienced professionals.

 

LinkedIn is another platform that’s built specifically for professionals. However, more than just creating a profile on it is required. You regularly need to update your profile, include your recent projects, and show everyone your skillset.

Alumni connections are a popular way of networking for jobs, as they can provide you dream careers referral code. Similarly, you can connect with the professionals you admire and ask for their advice and insights.

Connect With Confidence

People will ask you questions when you’re looking for a job, and you should always be ready for them. They want to know what you have accomplished and how you envision your future. Their goal is to gather as much information as possible to decide whether to hire you.

Therefore, you should confidently answer their questions about your education, experience, and skills. Uncertainty from your side can put doubts in the minds of the employers and put your reputation on the line. The more confident and assertive you are, the better networking for jobs you’ll achieve.

Join Professional & Industry Groups

Although you can build stronger connections with the employees of your current company or the one you have left, that’s doing more of the same. Instead, you should look out for professional and industry groups that are often excellent places to connect with valuable people, learn new skills, and add more weight to your portfolio.

You can attend multiple in-person annual conferences and events to meet and greet different professionals and learn something new from them. Besides these annual events, local chapters of these organizations regularly conduct trade events where you can showcase your skills and talk to employers to boost your chances of employment.

Welcome the Unexpected Connections

According to the JobVite report, 18 percent of people say they got their current job through their friends and colleagues— seventy percent of people crown networking for their career advancement.

Many people think professional connections can only be fostered in professional settings, but that’s far from reality. Similarly, you might also think that the people closest to you might be of the most help, but that’s also not true. If you feel like that, you might miss some valuable networking for jobs.

Instead, it’s the people you don’t know much that might be highly beneficial for you. That’s because they know people outside your circle who might be aware of job opportunities that were previously undisclosed to you.

You might find such people in the regular yoga class, gym, parties, and whatnot. The point is not to take casual conversations too lightly and use them to build valuable networking for jobs.

Perform Thorough Research

No matter what networking path you follow, it’s always important to do your research. From sending emails to a colleague to attending trade events, always gather as much information as possible. It helps you craft relevant and essential questions you can ask at the right moments.

For instance, networking events like trade fairs bring a lot of representatives from different companies. The details are often available on Facebook event pages where you can see who is coming so you can think of questions to ask them. You can also make a list of companies that you’ll prefer to connect with at the event.

Use Huxon to Land Your Dream Job

Nothing is better than having a dedicated platform to connect with professionals and businesses. While the tips described above work to a certain extent, they certainly cannot replace a platform built specifically for job networking.

Huxon is a revolutionary networking app with the explicit goal of networking to get a job within 50 miles/80 kilometers. It has been developed while mixing the best elements of social media with the needs of professionals to connect with companies.

Features of Huxon

• Newsfeed helps you share important events, projects, and thoughts with everyone around you. You can also access what others share and build a thriving community.
• Public & Private Chatrooms help you connect with others in the radius and have valuable conversations with them. Both options are on the table whether you want to talk to many or just one. It’s a perfect opportunity to reach out to industry experts in your domain.
• Favorite anyone, you enjoy working with on Huxon to keep them in your contacts for as long as you want. It helps you follow HRs in your respective domains to keep an eye on potential openings in the upcoming days.
• Use the built-in resume builder to gauge the available jobs and apply for them instantly without using a third-party platform.

Huxon is available on both Play Store and App Store, so both Apple and Android users can download it without any issues. If you’ve been wondering how networking can help you find a job, try Huxon, which can fulfill your dream quickly and effectively.

Start networking for jobs to reach your desired potential!