How networking helps in getting a job?

Did you know that only 25% of the employment opportunities get advertised?  Now, you must be thinking about what happens to the other 75% of vacancies across food engineering, fashion, data center solutions, academics, and legal departments. A survey conducted by leading OPN or Online Professional Networking platform LinkedIn revealed that around 85% of the job positions were filled due to networking as published in Hiring and Getting Hired by the CEO of The Adler Group, Lou Adler. 

However, it doesn’t seem fair. The reason behind this has been explained in Harvard professor Todd Rose’s book, The End of Average. Job advertisements fail because they post a flawed job description. Contrary to traditional beliefs, knowing the right people land you a good job. Therefore, job seekers turn to unconventional modes such as networking.

What is Networking?

Networking is all about getting to know as many people as you can and build a relationship with them. Yes! It is as simple as that. Now, we all may have reservations about this inclusive definition. But it holds in the professional environment. According to Michele Jennae, we cannot just limit the scope of networking by saying that networking is all about connecting with people. We can say that it is about connecting people with other people, their ideas, and opportunities that they might offer to grow professionally. Aristotle was right in calling the man a social animal. You need to do a crash course on networking as it is in your genes by evolution. It is not an isolated act, rather series of acts founding a strong base of your character and goodwill in other's minds. 

Why is Networking Important?

According to Yuval Noah Harare’s Sapiens, as species, modern humans could survive the tough odds of survival because of their ability to socialise. Getting a job is similar to the ancient man getting food. Networking is your best shot at finding the right job because: –

• People are wired to hire people they know for critical jobs rather than hiring someone entirely new.
• Job postings receive hundreds of applications and competition is high. You face fewer odds when you are referred for a job.
• 75% of job postings are filled by networking. 

What steps should be followed for building professional relationships?

You cannot connect with every person that comes under the recommendation of your OPN platform. Professional networking is done by building a strategy that connects you with the people of your business. This efficient approach can guarantee you immensely positive research. AS Ronald Burt rightly said; Networking gives you better eyes than better glasses.  Here are some tips and tricks to get you going: –

1. Fish out for relevant contacts

First of all, look around yourself. See all your relatives, acquaintances, teachers, friends, contacts, or colleagues from your previous jobs through the prism of job search. Ask yourself whether any of these is working in the same field such as yours or they can connect you with people who can. 

1. Presenting yourself to the world

Start with what would an interviewer hiring in your professional domain look like in a potential candidate. Practice projecting those qualities to prospective employers through your online portfolio. You may inculcate the principles of 30 Second Pitch to introduce yourself to your contacts. 

The 30 Second Pitch

You may divide your answers into these three sections when asked, “Tell me about yourself”.

• Introduce yourself briefly
• Mention in brief about your professional journey till now and what unique skills do you possess to fit in for the opportunity. 
• Do not forget to mention your accomplishments and where do you imagine yourself in the coming years. 

Informational Interviews

It is better to get insights on the job specifications from stalwarts of your industry. You may watch their interviews or read their blogs for that. You may even approach someone from your networking contacts to give a better sense of what practical expectations does the job have. The best way of doing it is by conducting an informational interview.

What is an information interview?

It is about getting information about a field or industry to know how it practically works to help the candidate in preparing for responsibilities and help him in planning his prospects in his professional career. 

Look out for Job Shadow openings

Networking may help you immensely in filling a job shadow opportunity which can give you a real-life experience of what your dream job entails. Job Shadowing means spending time with a working professional to learn how he works and expand your knowledge. It may be a part of your internal development program set by your current employer. The art of networking can be built slowly by following these steps and exploiting all the resources that you have to offer to your prospective employer.