By Tanya, Wall Street Services Reporter
As universities and colleges across the country approach their graduation dates, and the harsh winter comes to an end for New York, job seekers of all ages should rethink their social networking strategy.
Networking has always been important, but as the industry slowly improves, applicants should use it as a tool to seek burgeoning opportunities. So many people have had their lives, jobs and businesses shaken up so much that it’s helpful to think of your network as a shock absorber. Your friends, mentors, advisors, colleagues and trusted others are going to be there for you… that is if you’ve invested the time and energy in building solid relationships and have earned their support. Think about all the times success in a particular situation comes down to one meeting, one call, one check, one great reference or endorsement, one person with the right connections. Those who are much more committed to building solid networks and foundations of contacts almost always fare better, find more success, get access to better opportunities and can always pick up a phone and gather people.
Industry events and career fairs are a tremendous way to build your network, and really solidify relationships. Seeing people more than once, repeatedly, over time, in different venues, builds familiarity, trust and credibility. People tend do business with people they like. It’s human nature. The more time you spend with people (where the relationship is mutually enjoyable) the more your relationships will get solidified. That applies to online too – today, more than ever.
Online networks are also today fundamental to success. Sure, you can live without them but the power they offer as a new communication platform can be tremendous.
“What I hate is seeing people select one or another – offline or online and stick to that only, saying it’s all they need, or convincing themselves that it’s ok to let others worry about the other,” says Jennifer Kushell, founder of Your Success Network, founder of YSN.com – Your Success Network which has just launched a new online professional development system called Fast Track to Success filled with tips like this.
When you can play in both worlds, build your reputation, connections and relationships both with solid personal face to face connections as well as online 24/7 updates, texts, tweets, emails, chats, skypes….you bond faster. You learn more about one another. You instantly have the ability to gain access to a massive range of information, connect the dots, find commonalities and draw closer.
Also, don’t run the risk of being charismatic and memorable in one medium and fail miserably in the other. It’s limiting you tremendously and it gets in the way of really seeing connections fully develop to the full extent.
YSN’s Best Places to Network Online:
Linked in is wonderful if you’re in business, technology, sales, education, marketing, etc. Build a really solid profile with your most relevant background. Make sure you clearly state what you do and what kind of people/companies you work with or are seeking.
Create a professional Facebook page (and keep your personal page private). Be very strategic and responsible about what you post. Once it’s online, assume it can be there forever, accessible to anyone. Use that as your filter.
Start a blog if you have something valuable, interesting, useful to share. It’s a fabulous way to showcase the best of what you know, can do, are interested in, etc.
Conduct your own brand audit. Take all of your best research skills and dig into finding all about you online. Check Google, Bing, all the social networks. Look closely at what others post about you. Attempt to edit as necessary and possible. If you don’t find much, or are unhappy with what you find, make a serious effort to start building an online presence and loading up at least one or two great profiles with solid information you can be proud of anyone finding. If you do that on a Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, etc., anyone who searches your name will likely find those listings at the top, as they’re so well optimized.
Think about all the industries you’re a part of, active in, connected to or interested in. Search them online and explore the vast number of online resources and communities that serve people like you. Mediabistro is another example of a fantastic content and community site for anyone in the content or media business. Third Tribe is another fantastic one for people in the online marketing business.
Reach out to bloggers and others who run or work on niche sites that target your business/industry. Comment on their articles, ask them questions, provide valuable tips.
Follow interesting people in your industry on Twitter, Facebook. Apply the same advice from above. It’s incredible how a series of 140 character comments and dialogue can evolve into full conversations and even email, phone, Skype or offline relationships. It happens every single hour of every day! Watch out for when the more high profile ones talk about local Tweetups or meet ups. Go out and meet them in person! You’re bound to meet a bunch of other people with similar interests too.
Any other affinity group like university alumni groups, high school alumni, fraternities, club sports, study abroad, religious groups, young professional groups, service clubs – they are eager for you to join, engage. Use those platforms to grow your network and stay connected to people who already have shared experiences. Many large companies also have their own affinity networks. Explore those! Also find people from your company currently or even in the past to connect with online. They’re fantastic prospective connections who might even have insight or access to new opportunities right under your nose that you didn’t even realize!
