Networking is a way to make contact and share information with other people or groups. You can find job leads through networking.
- Organize your contacts. Include your parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, neighbors, past classmates, co-workers, and friends. Tell them about the kind of job that you’re looking for.
- Set up your account on Linked In. Linked In is a networking site for finding jobs.
- Set up your Twitter account. Start following employers, organizations, and friends.
- Set up your Facebook account. Send friend requests to your contacts. “Like” pages for businesses and organizations.
- Make sure the information that on the Internet is what you want employers to see. This is creating you personal brand to market yourself.
- Keep personal information safe. Use virus protection. Use spam filters to avoid dangerous junk mail. Use creditable websites.
- There are many places to network. You can:
- Use Facebook, Linked In or Twitter to network with contact.
- Use Linked In and Twitter job search to find job leads.
- Volunteer in your community.
- Go to events in your community.
- Visit your college Career Services office.
- Go to professional organization websites
- Use blogs to build relationships with readers and other bloggers with similar interests.
- Use wikis to collaborate with groups.
- Join or start a job club
- Find local associations
- Practice introducing yourself. Put together a short 30 second elevator speech. This should highlight your skills, work history and education. Be positive and smile.
- Practice your handshake.
- Carry business cards that include your contact information and bullets with the types of jobs that you may be interested in or a list of your skills.
- Listen and show interest in the person who is talking.