How Networking Can Help You Land Your Dream Job

1. Have the right materials on hand

Invest in business cards for planned and unexpected networking opportunities. Carry business cards that give a very brief overview of your credentials and offer your contact information. Although you can meet people by attending social networking events or a meetup, sometimes unplanned meeting can lead to big rewards. Whether you’re formally introduced or strike up a conversation with someone in a grocery store, a business card, resume and cover letter are a great way to make a solid professional impression, and give you the best chance to be contacted with job leads.

2. Be in the right place

There are many advantageous places to network both in person and online. Attending in-person job fairs, corporate events and social meet-ups and other places where you are assured to run into contacts that can enhance your network. As long as you work to put yourself in the right places, then you will find the people who can help you to expand your network.

3. Sign up for a LinkedIn profile and with other social networking sites

Social media is an easy and effective way to network and get noticed without ever leaving your home or office. The number of contacts you can connect with is endless. This includes LinkedIn, Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter and more. It’s a good idea to devote some time out of your day to read social media posts and comment on topics that are part of your industry. Comments make a good conversation starter and make your presence known. You can even take it further by joining groups, participating in webinars and other discussions to make valuable connections.

4. Always enhance your value to your network

While your professional skills are interesting to many of the people you meet, they alone won’t not enough to convince people to be part of your career network. When a network contact calls you for advice, be there to offer what they need to know. When a contact in your network calls you looking for a business contact, then offer another contact in your network that fits the criteria. Your career network will work harder to find you a job when you are active in your network and show value to your contacts.

5. Always be positive

Everyone has disagreements and differences of opinion, but that does not mean that their overall demeanor cannot be positive. Whenever you head out to expand your career network, do so with a positive disposition and a smile on your face. If you simply do not feel like being positive, then perhaps that is not the best day for you to look for new people to expand your network.

6. Have an elevator pitch ready

If you work hard enough to expand your career network, then you will inevitably have people asking you about your skill set and what you could offer a company. An elevator pitch is a two-sentence introduction that business people use to introduce their companies to new contacts. In order to network effectively, you need an elevator pitch to use whenever you make a new contact who is interested in hearing about what you do.

7. Make a list of potential contacts and keep track of leads

As your contact list increases, it’s a good idea to have a master list. That way, you don’t unwittingly reach out to a contact for a second time. It’s also a good way to keep track of leads and what contacts they originated from. Maintaining acontacts list also helps you evaluate the quality of your contacts (after all, it’s about quality and not quantity). Once you have your list of quality contacts, note your interactions with them so you do not repeat emails or forget important details. Your networking efforts are only as strong as the results. Keep track of not just your efforts, but also the payoff you get from them. If a contact consistently offers to help but does not follow through, refocus your efforts elsewhere, and be sure to go the extra mile for contacts who do the same for you.

8. Always listen carefully during a networking opportunity

You’ve heard the expression, “be seen and not heard”, and that holds true for networking. Following the flow of the conversion but don’t monopolize the situation. Listen intently to the career advice being offered and allow the other person to finish speaking before intervening. Should the other person ask you a question, answer it comprehensively but not long winded. If the opportunity arises, you can ask additional company or industry-related questions and once again.

9. Recognize the efforts of your contacts

A network needs to be nurtured just like any budding relationship. This includes showing recognition for and thanking network contacts that have gone the extra mile for you. Whether it was to introduce you to other contacts in your industry, inviting you to a seminar, reviewing your resume, giving you a job lead or simply providing some sort of career advice, give thanks. Follow up in writing with a note or a token of gratitude; this encourages more of the same. You will be looked upon as appreciative by people in your network as opposed to someone that uses people to advance their career.

10. Update your online profile and join discussion boards and niche sites

Your online presence is important and can assure you get noticed. It’s a good idea to review your online profiles to be sure you are presenting the latest and greatest information about yourself. Should someone on your contact list be made aware of a job opening and thinks of you, one look at your profile should be able to reinforce your qualifications and job status. The same holds true for a recruiter that relies on social media to seek out job candidates. Be active in online communities that center around your career choice or area of expertise. Those fellow members can offer valuable insights and with luck, job leads.

11. Networking is not a job request

While it may seem like an easy way to find a job, it’s advised not to directly ask contacts for a job. It is okay to discuss your current role and desire for a different role in the future but it should not come off as a desperate plea for a job opportunity. Networking should be more of a way to get industry information that could be a potential lead making scenario. Build a meaningful relationship with a contact and see where that acquaintance may direct your future career.

12. Networking is a great way to get your resume reviewed

Once you build a communicative relationship with contacts from your industry, you know who are the best people to ask for career advice. This includes asking a contact or two, to provide a brief review of your current resume. You are not asking the contact to rewrite your resume but instead, just to offer feedback. Perhaps your skills can be improved or you have outdated technical information that is hurting your resume. While reading through your career history, the resume reviewer may inadvertently give you a prospective lead on a job without you asking for it.

13. Make it clear that you are looking for a job

Never take for granted the notion that your career network contacts know that you are looking for work. When you first meet new contacts, it may not be in a situation where talking about your job hunt is appropriate. But as you maintain contact with your network, you should make it clear that you are looking for work and any assistance they can offer would be helpful.

These successful networking tips will help you cultivate the network you need to land the job of your dreams, no matter where you are in your career. You never know when you’ll run into someone who can help you achieve your career goals, so be ready to market your skills and expertise at any time.