Networking

Traditional networking involves letting everyone you meet know that you are looking for opportunities. Tell them what type of position you are looking for, in what field. Also tell them about any professional interests you might have. You never know when you might meet someone who knows of an opportunity that would be perfect for you. Employers know that those referred to them by people they know are often the best candidates. Always be on the lookout for networking opportunities, such as Chamber “After Hours” events, or community activities such as Relay for Life.

Professional associations can be helpful for someone just starting out. Join as a student member (often it is cheaper that way!) to begin networking with professionals in a field you would like to get into. Professional associations often hold conferences and meetings at which there are many influential people. Start introducing yourself to these people and everyone you meet as soon as possible. The more often employers see your face, the more likely they are to remember you when it’s time to hire.

Social networking sites have become some of the main platforms used by employers to advertise career opportunities and answer questions. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have the power to enhance your career. By learning how to properly market yourself on a networking site, finding a job could be much easier.

• Twitter

  Twitter is seen by many as a social networking and blogging service, but many companies also use it to job search. Twitter even has a job search engine that specifically caters to help facilitate job listings. JobShouts.com allows employers to post their job listings for free and then the listings are “tweeted” out to users on Twitter. Employers also use Twitter to show what their company is doing while using it for recruitment purposes. The Career Center even has a Twitter page where they post happenings and important job advice and information (@tsucareercenter).

• Facebook

  Facebook can be used for more than just reconnecting with old friends. In fact, some say it can help with professional networking. Since Facebook is packed with many different applications and features, experts advise you to downsize your profile if you want to use it for professional networking.

• LinkedIn

  LinkedIn is a professional networking website with over 100 million users worldwide. It is used to keep track of your professional network, track companies, and make connections.  The following is a brief rundown of how LinkedIn works.

  • Connections
    Connections are the people in your LinkedIn network. Each connection is a person that connections, but you have access to their connections (called second-degree connections) and their connections (called third-degree connections). If a second-degree connection has a job that you would love to know more about, all you have to do is ask your common connection to introduce you. Unlike Facebook, it is okay to message someone you do not know to ask about their career path; that is what the site is for. That does not necessarily mean that they will answer, but it is okay to ask.
  • Companies
    Companies are organizations that have made a page on LinkedIn. By clicking on a company name, you will be able to see a few LinkedIn members who work there. You can also see some statistics about the company. Some users may choose to “follow” a company. When you follow a company, you can see their updates on your home screen. Whenever the company posts new jobs, LinkedIn alerts you. This is a good idea for anyone who wants to get a job with a specific company but is waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. Another great thing about LinkedIn is that if you do find a job at a company that interests you, LinkedIn will show you if any of your connections work at that company or have other connections at that company. That way, you could be personally recommended for the job instead of going through the normal online application and recruitment routes.
  • Profiles
    Profiles on LinkedIn are quite different from profiles on Facebook. LinkedIn profiles feature a person’s work experience and education. There are opportunities for others to post recommendations of your work on your profile for other potential employers to see. There are areas in your profile for professional interests, activities, and organizations. Overall, there is much less personal information, such as interests or pictures than on Facebook.
  • Career Builder
    Career Builder is a program on LinkedIn that is being tested at select colleges across the country. Luckily, Truman is one of them. Under the Jobs tab, click on Career Builder. Here, you can create your ideal career path and see which companies might be looking for someone like you. First, you choose your entry-level job and pick where you want to end up. Based on information from other LinkedIn users, Career Builder provides you with information on how to get there. The Career Builder tool will show you jobs available now that you may want to look at as they relate to your ideal career path. This tool can provide you with potential jobs, companies, and connections.How-To Guide: Networking and LinkedIn (PDF)