It may seem counter-intuitive for a recruiter to advise someone to make their own connections, but it isn’t! We want each of our candidates to create their professional networks for a few reasons.
Sharing opportunities with your consultant helps us to know more about your interests and which type of jobs are exciting to you. When you tell us about your professional web, we get a better idea of which job will fit you best. If you see leads, tell your recruiter. Lots of times, recruiters have already built a relationship with someone in the company you’re excited about, and we can help you get in.
Of course, networking is not easy, but there are some simple ways to establish yourself in your network. Here are three tips which will send you in the right direction.
Complete your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a professional networking tool. And although it is a type of social media, it is not the same as Facebook! Fill in as much information about yourself as you can. The more you write, the more employers will find you when searching for candidates.
Be careful the types of posts you make on LinkedIn. Try and keep your page as professional and objective as possible. And if you’re a young professional, make sure that your social pages aren’t hurting your professional pages. More on this here.
- Add everyone to your network that you can. Pluralizing your network helps you to hear about market news and work opportunities more quickly, which could give you an advantage in the marketplace.
And remember. Potential employers will look at your LinkedIn to see who you know. If they see that you are well-connected, it’ll raise their interest in you as a candidate, and it may spark a conversation if they learn that they share some of your contacts. Therein lies the beauty of networking: Growing your network strengthens the networks of people who know you.
Related articles:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/05/29/7-reasons-networking-can-be-a-professional-development-boot-camp/
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248812