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!

*******

Making a Career Move: 5 Essential Elements for a Confident Journey

Making a career change is often an exciting process--and it can also be an intense one. It can involve much soul searching and courage to take the leap. And, it also can feel empowering and exhilarating to think about what lies ahead. As a career coach and a career-changer myself, I can attest to this!

If you are actively considering a career change, you likely feel a sense of passion for a specific new direction and you are hopefully creating a plan. Set yourself up for success with your plan by including SMART goals and an appropriate timeline with milestones, deadlines, and action items.

And, as you work with your plan, consider adding in time for the following fundamentals for a greater sense of confidence that you are on the right track, and to also make the most of your efforts.

1. Define your “why.”

One of the first things to do when planning for a new career is to more deeply consider your purpose. Why do you want this change? What are your motivations for doing it, and what do you hope to achieve in your new career that you are unable to accomplish where you are?

This is important, because understanding more clearly why you wish to make a change provides an opportunity to make sure you are doing it for the reasons that matter and that make sense to you. And, this deeper understanding can help with motivation and resilience if and when the seas get choppy.

You already know your "why," but dig a bit further to confirm your thoughts and feelings to get to a place of stronger motivation and confidence that you're on the right path.

2. Research.

Even if you have something in mind, take time to flesh out related careers, industries, roles, and organizations that fit well with your values, skills, strengths, interests, and passions. A career change can be life-changing and as exciting as it is to get started, it deserves time for research and self-reflection.

Some ways to do this include exploring roles via job announcements on job board sites such as Indeed or CareerBuilder. Another way to research is to talk and network with others (more on this below). Also, consider joining groups in your field of interest, read trade magazines, and follow industry trends in your desired industry.

This step is really about making efforts to source new data, so you can make an informed decision on what's next. Reflect on what you’re learning and how it fits with who you are and what makes you tick. You will either gain extra validation that you are heading in the right direction, or an opportunity to pivot before going further.

3. Network, network, network.

After, or even while you are researching, connect with people in your desired field to gain insight. Request informational interviews to learn more about their work. Connecting with others is not only helpful with respect to gathering knowledge, these new connections can help you along your job search journey. Often times, interviews are scheduled and job opportunities are offered based on networking conversations over the more traditional application approach.

Some studies show that a whopping 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and estimates indicate that between 70 and 80% of jobs are never even posted.

When engaging in informational interviews, think in advance about what facts would be helpful to know as you pursue opportunities in your new field. For instance, you might ask for details on the type of work involved, the ups and downs, helpful skills and education, what to expect getting into the industry. At the end of every conversation ask who else you might speak with for more information on the career option you are exploring. And then, ask for an introduction to that person!

Networking not your thing? Many people feel this way. As with anything that feels daunting, set small goals and consistently achieve them for sustained motivation. Work your way into a networking mindset one step at a time. The benefits of doing so extend far beyond making a career change and job searching.

4. Acquire relevant skills and education.

This one is rather obvious, but important to note. Take time to consider all of your strengths and skills--both technical and interpersonal--that you bring to your new target role.

It's likely that you have a number of transferrable skills, but what, if any, gaps do you want to fill? Consider any skills you may want to develop or degrees, certifications you may want to gain to be more competitive in your desired field. Then, factor into your plan how you will acquire them, whether it be through self-study, or formal education, and when.

Some skills and trainings may be obvious, while others may surface from your research and networking conversations. Make sure you are considering what, if anything, you want to freshen up on or achieve as part of your planning process in order to increase your marketability and confidence.

5. Identify your support team.

If you have a solid “why” and you feel impassioned to make this career change, you likely feel strongly motivated to get there. Still, a career change can be a long process with unexpected twists and turns.

Surround yourself with a support system of family, friends, mentors and professionals who can perhaps serve as sounding boards for ideas and concerns, and provide helpful advice and guidance along the way. Identify people who can be a source of inspiration, offer new perspectives, and provide encouragement, so that you can call on them when you want a boost.

***

As we all know, creating a plan and timeline is a necessary starting point for a successful career change. Factor into it these five fundamentals for analyzing your purpose, conducting research, and sourcing support. This will help you maintain confidence, motivation, resilience, and, just as importantly, the passion that likely brought you to this point in the first place.

To your career success!

*******