Using your network...

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The sectors we work in are small and the people who work within them are usually well connected. 

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LinkedIn is not your network - your network are those whom you have a relationship with either through work or social circles.

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Networking is a key part of your job search, when thinking about your network consider:

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• You are not asking someone to find you a job you are just updating them on your situation.

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• An estimated 70% of job roles are never advertised.

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• Up to 85% of people get their jobs through their network.

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• Think about the best way to connect with individuals you want to network with, be that phone call, email or meeting up in person.

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• Have your 30 second elevator pitch ready for each different scenario.

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• Be clear about what you want to achieve through connecting with this network member and how they may be able to support you.

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The Fractions Exercise

 

This is a good exercise to do to think through your networks, how strong your relationships with these individuals are and what they know about your from a work perspective to identify those that would be most beneficial to make contact with:

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1. Write down a list of people in your network

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2. Score between 0 and 5 on the following questions?

a. How well do they know you?  What do they know about your skills?  How would they present you to someone?

b. How well networked is the individual?

 

3. Start with the ones who score highly on both but also need to think about:

a. What relationship do you have with them?  What was your last interaction?

b. How will you contact them?

 

4. You may ask them to meet you for coffee or lunch.

a. If you haven’t been in touch for a while you may need to email them and let them know your story and 30 second elevator pitch, explain you are not expecting them to get you a job, but you want to let them know where you are at and what you are doing.

b. If your relationship is strong and current then you can just pick up the phone.