One of the most common new year’s resolutions (besides loosing weight and getting in shape) is to do something about your job… either to find your first one or to find a new one.
But with the job market so tight, what’s a young professional to do? Keep your network alive. When the job market tightens, fewer jobs are actually posted. (WHY, you might ask?? Because the HR people are innundated with resumes and can’t handle the volume. Take it from me… I was on the other side of the desk for many years.) When jobs need to be filled, recruiters look internally first and then ask around to see if anyone knows anyone who can fill the job.
The way to find out about these hidden jobs is to network. That means you need to stay active and connected with your friends, co-workers, professors, parents, alumnae association. You need to establish and develop relationships with people to let them know who you are and what you can do for them. That’s right… it’s more than just asking for advice and job leads. It’s about what you can do for them. There’s an old saying: givers gain- and never more true than when you are networking.
Most people neglect their networks until they need them (ie, to find a job). Wrong approach. You should schedule time to network throughout your career. This means attending an alumnae association event, joining an industry networking group, even joining a social club. It’s all about relationships.
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