While it’s easy to get caught up in resume writing workshops, job fairs, and other types of career activities — professional networking is one of the key factors to a successful job search.
Have you ever heard the old saying, “Be in the right place at the right time”? With networking, you can achieve this because of the people you know. When more people know you and the value you bring to the table, they are more apt to recommend you to a colleague for a new job that may otherwise not be advertised. It’s the secret to success when looking for a new career opportunity in Wilmington DE.
So, how can you go about building a network that will support your career goals? Read on to learn the secret way to network your way to a great job.
Create a Brand About YOU
The first thing you will want to do, as a job seeker is to take a good long look at yourself. That’s right. Grab a piece of paper and pen, then jot down the top 5 things you are good at. Consider all your career history, your education, your on-the-job experiences, and your personal passions.
Now, narrow it down to the one thing that makes you stand out from others in your area of expertise. Is it your career experience, a high-level achievement, a prominent client you’ve served, or a cool hobby you have? Make this your professional brand. Create your persona around this brand.
Develop Strategic Networks
A network is only as good as the people who are part of it. While it’s popular to have a lot of friends and colleagues on your list of contacts, how many of these people are well known or respected individuals in your target industry? How many of the people you network with connected with decision makers? Start building your networks around leaders in your field of interest. Get introduced by colleagues on your LinkedIn profile. Share and comment on excellent social media posts about these folks, and open up dialogue with them so you are not simply stalking them.
Why is this important to your job search? When recruiters look for excellent candidates, they often follow leaders and they note who is also connected to these influencers. They read posts and they see who is leaving a mark behind in comments and content shares. Be viewed as a thought leader too by being part of the equation.
Take Your Networking Offline
Not all networking activities need to be on social media accounts. In fact, you will want to balance your time between Twitter and Facebook posts, and heading to local career networking events in the area. Look for these types of meet ups advertised in local newspapers, community calendars, and even through local religious and civic groups.
Talk with a Wilmington DE staffing agency to find out about upcoming job fairs and career support networks. At the very least, get registered as a candidate with Synerfac Technical Staffing so you can be put in touch with local companies who are hiring for part time, full time, and temp to perm jobs in Wilmington. They are already networked with the leading companies in the area, so this helps boost your job search in a big way.