Whether you’re about to jump into your career or have been in the game for years, you know that networking is possibly one of the most important tactics for scoring an interview or landing a job. In fact, one survey revealed that 85 percent of positions are filled as a result of networking. But that doesn’t mean you enjoy spending your weekday evenings schmoozing your ass off. Some people downright despise it. So here are five ways to get the job networking done without losing sight of your sanity.
1. Make LinkedIn your best friend.
LinkedIn is the professional social media platform completely available for your use. Essentially, it’s one big networking event that never stops and can apply to any profession. Make sure you know how to use it to your best advantage and how to make it look super appealing to recruiters and other leaders in your industry.
2. Ask around.
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There’s no shame in using your personal network, like friends and former colleagues, to help connect you to the right person. That’s what a personal network is for, right?! Be strategic about who you ask, and make sure you only get connected through people you trust.
3. Use an app.
There are apps for everything these days, and networking is no exception. For those who would rather not go to a stuffy networking event where everyone stiffly drinks from a glass of wine and talks about their own accomplishments, look into an app like Shapr. The app looks like a professional Tinder, and it connects people based on relevant experience and industry and mutual interest (they both have to want to connect). Then, you can collaborate.
4. Get yourself a mentor.
There are few better ways to get your foot in the door than to do it with the guidance of someone who’s been there and has wisdom to bestow upon you. That person, friends, is a professional mentor — someone with more experience who can give you insight into your chosen industry and your own career goals. Mentors can be banks of knowledge, but they can also be the ones to help you make that really meaningful connection.
5. Work on your online personal brand.
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Everyone has a personal brand, or the version of themselves that they put out there as professionals. Depending on the industry you’re in, you could benefit from building out your personal brand online. If you’re a creative with work to show off, for example, or a personal trainer hoping to branch out and meet new people, become social-savvy and create your brand on platforms like Instagram. You’ll gain followers and be able to chat with other thought leaders in your space. Plus, if you become well-known, you’ll be fielding the messages from professionals hoping to work with you rather than the other way around.
