Maximize Your Job Search Through Online Networking: Strategies and Best Practices
“I dread the idea of networking.”
This is a very common sentiment for many job-seekers. Networking can be awkward and uncomfortable. It’s difficult to reach out to strangers. It feels vulnerable to ask for help. And yet, when it comes to searching for a job, networking works.
Studies show that 85% of jobs are filled through networking and estimates indicate that between 70-80% of jobs are never even posted publicly. That is a lot of missed opportunity if you aren’t building your network and meeting with others. Networking is helpful in your career no matter your goal and it can be vital if you are on the hunt for something new.
With respect to job searching, in-person networking provides more of a human connection and can be fun and rewarding (yes, I believe it can be fun, or at least tolerable, with the right mindset). To maximize efforts, I recommend clients engage in online networking as well, specifically via LinkedIn.
According to LinkedIn, 70% of users hired in 2016 had a LinkedIn connection at the company. Whether you want to learn more about a particular field or role, want help getting in front of the people who are hiring for the job you want, or just want to expand your professional network beyond your geographical location (a best practice, by the way!), LinkedIn is a top online resource.
How to Engage in Online Networking for Help with Your Job Search
Once you have an idea of the role and industry you’re interested in, as well as the value you provide, one common sense way to get started with LinkedIn as a job resource is to then search for job openings. This will lead you down the traditional job search path of applying and waiting for a response. And, I recommend you do this.
At the same, take advantage of what LinkedIn offers by engaging in a strategic networking approach as well, such as this one:
To get started, use LinkedIn, Google, and any other resource to identify organizations you either want to work for or want to learn more about. Make a list of at least 6, although 8 to 10 is better.
Then, for the first one on your list, search LinkedIn for the most relevant employees in that company to talk with about the role you want to fill. Remember, there doesn’t necessarily have to be a position available.
Are you finding that any of those individuals are connections of yours? If so, great! Send a LinkedIn message asking for a few minutes to talk about their work at the organization.
If you are not yet connected with people of interest, look for a mutual connection you have in common and message that person asking for an introduction. Keep it simple by explaining that you are thinking of possibly shifting jobs in the future and would like to learn more about this person and what they do at the organization as part of your research. And, then send them the text for the introduction so that they can just copy and paste it into a LinkedIn message or email to the person you want to interview. Make it really easy. (More on this below).
What if you have no mutual connection in common? Send a LinkedIn connection request with a simple message expressing your interest. For example, “Hi, Mark. My name is Karen Righter and I’m interested in what you do at Markham International. I’ve been trying to learn more about the research and development industry and would love to connect with you.” Then, once connected, reach out to request 10 to 15 minutes for an informational interview.
Most people are more than happy to help by answering a few questions. Expect that you will get some no’s and won’t hear back from others. It’s part of the process and many people are just busy trying to fit everything in. Reach out to many people in order to schedule a sufficient number of conversations with people from each organization.
Through all the conversations and online engagement, you’ll likely gain a boost in energy that comes from social connection. In addition, you will be gathering helpful data and meeting interesting people. With consistent networking activity, you stand to gain eventual invites for interview and job opportunities as well.
Here are few tips to keep in mind when getting started with online networking:
Be specific.
Even if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, be as specific as possible when asking for an introduction or an informational interview. Example: “I'm an experienced graphic designer looking for my next opportunity. I would love to work in the gaming industry for companies like ABC or XYZ and I'm wondering if you would be willing to introduce me to anyone you know in the industry.”
Cut to the chase first.
Lead with your ask (as with the example above) and then add in your experience or other qualifying information. Because people are busy, they want to know what help you would like at the outset of your message.
Avoid the pitch.
Asking for help is typically your best bet and it's more respectful than selling yourself for a job in an unsolicited way. Avoid using language like, “Fortune-500 sales director, 5+ years exceeding sales projections . . .” Save that for your LinkedIn profile headline.
Prepare in advance.
Consider the questions you would like to ask before engaging in an informational interview. What would be most helpful to know about the role, the company, or the industry? At the end of each call, ask who else your conversation counterpart may know who may be willing to talk with you. And then request an introduction.
Make it simple.
Make it as easy as possible for the person you're messaging to forward your request with an introduction to a contact who is hiring. For example, include your resume as a pdf link in your message instead of sending it as an attachment, so it can be forwarded to others more easily.
Follow up with a note of thanks.
This is a given, but worth mentioning. Remember to reach out to your contact who has helped you in some way and express your appreciation. It's not only a common courtesy, it helps foster future communication and relationship building.
Keep a positive mindset.
This process is not always a quick one. You you may need to reach out to many people, because some may never respond. People are busy. It's not personal. Some may reply that they can't help, and this is to be expected as well. Just keep going and remind yourself of your goal, your “why” (the reason you want to make a change in the first place), and the fact that this process works.
Give back.
One of the main reasons people (such as those on LinkedIn who you are reaching out to) like to help others is because it feels great to do so. Remember as you are asking for help that you are also in a position to give back to others and provide assistance when the opportunity arises.
Develop a networking “lifestyle.”
Finally, right now is a great time to take actions to engage in networking both in person and online, on an ongoing basis. The more people you know, the more relationships you genuinely cultivate, the more help you can receive and provide in the future.
All the best on your networking adventures!
*******
