If you ask people how they got their current jobs, you’ll soon find that connections are key. Many people ended up in their current position because a friend of a friend made them aware of an opportunity.
This culture of “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” can be frustrating since not all of us have connections to wealthy, successful people who will help us get good jobs. But when we understand how the system works, we can use it to our advantage, even if we feel like we’re not particularly well-connected.
At RaiseUp Families, we aim to help parents experiencing financial hardship create a stable future for their families. That often means networking and leveraging your connections to get a better job. In this blog, we’ll explore how to build a professional network to help you do just that!
Let’s get started.
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If you’re looking for a better job, your mind is probably consumed with working hard and gaining skills. While it’s important to be a great worker, networking is an indispensable part of landing your desired job. Here’s why:
Think about it this way: if you need to hire someone to mow your lawn or babysit your children, your first instinct is to think, Who do I know that could do the job? Hiring your friend’s daughter is much easier than posting a “help wanted” ad and sifting through the candidates.
This same instinct drives many hiring decisions, even at big companies. Many job openings are never publicly advertised, and employers often fill positions through internal referrals and professional connections.
This creates a “hidden job market” that networking helps you tap into.
Sifting through hundreds of resumes and interviewing complete strangers in the hopes of finding someone who is competent, hard working, and has good character is a daunting task for any hiring manager. That’s why they’re more likely to trust candidates recommended by someone they know.
Having a network makes you much more likely to get referrals, which significantly boost your chances of landing an interview and getting hired.
Even without a direct connection that helps you get a job, a network is a crucial support system. People in your network can give you support and insight, especially if they work in a field similar to the one you’d like to enter.
For example, if you want to start a restaurant, you should take every opportunity to talk to others who have started restaurants or worked in the restaurant industry. They will give you invaluable information you can’t attain anywhere else.
Although you may dream of hitting it off with a professional in your desired industry who will hire you or give you a great referral, the truth is that you should never discount the connections you already have. People in your extended family, people from your community, people you go to church with, people you work with, and people you went to school with can become key allies in your job search.
Don’t underestimate them! You may be surprised at what they can offer you, and since they’ve known you for a long time, they’ll be invested in your future.
Here are some tips for leveraging your existing network:
In many ways, we live in the best time in history for staying connected to people from our past. It’s easier than ever to follow people from our past on social media or LinkedIn, to write a quick comment or text to congratulate them on an accomplishment or grieve with them if they experience a loss, or to send an email or give them a call to catch up.
But even though it seems easy, it takes real effort to accomplish. It’s worth the effort, however. When you communicate that you still think of them and care about them, you create a relationship conducive to helping each other professionally if needed.
Even if the people you know aren’t in your industry, they can still be tremendously helpful. Do you know someone who’s really good with money? Someone who has lots of experience applying for jobs? Someone who knows how to nail an interview?
Be on the lookout for these strengths, and reach out to ask for advice! People love to be recognized for what they’re good at.
When you’re searching for a job or exploring new fields, reach out to people you know and ask if they have any connections.
Do they know someone who is hiring? Do they know someone who works in your field whom you could talk to and ask for advice?
You’ll be surprised by how many connections you have access to! After all, the world is smaller than you might think.
A network works by connecting people in a way that makes them a valuable resource for each other, and it’s based on friendship, community, and goodwill. So if someone helps you out, always remember to follow up, thank them, and indicate that you value their time.
And remember to return the favor if people in your network turn to you for help, advice, or connections!
Utilizing your current network gives you a great place to start. But eventually, it will be time to expand your network, looking beyond friends-of-friends to connect with people more suited to your desired career goals.
Here are some ways to make that happen:
To start, go dust off your LinkedIn page! Update your photo and job history, and send connection invites to people you know.
Then, expand your network by sending connection requests to people in your field. Try to find some point of connection, such as a mutual friend or a shared alma mater. And don’t stop at a request—make an impression by sending a message, noting why you would like to connect with them.
You can also network through social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. To do so, keep your profile up-to-date. Make sure to mention your career goals periodically, not in a heavy-handed way, but enough that people who have connections might be inspired to reach out. If relevant, put your work on social media. For example, if you want to sell art or handcrafted goods, a platform like Instagram will likely be your number one way to find clients.
And finally, don’t be shy about reaching out to people!
Social media platforms are great for making connections, but they’re also key for staying connected to people you meet in real life at networking events.
Speaking of which…
Attending in-person networking events is the best way to connect with people in your field and grow your network. Typically, this will be a conference. Conferences are full of people who can advise you about navigating the industry.
Remember: You can totally go to a conference of an industry you’re not in yet! It’s a great way to make connections and learn the lingo. But unlike the other things on this list, it can get expensive, so do it strategically. For example, if you attend a conference in an area where you can stay with a friend, you can save a lot of money on lodging.
As in life, the key to making a good impression at a networking event is:
It may be tempting to use your networking time to talk up your accomplishments and make yourself sound hirable, but people enjoy dispensing wisdom more than they like hearing others brag, so be wise in how you engage.
And don’t forget to bring business cards so people can easily keep in touch with you!
Another often-overlooked way to make vital job connections is through local resources designed to help people like you get into more stable careers.
These are more prevalent than you might think!
For example, here at RaiseUp, we partner with Rise. Based in the Houston Area, Rise seeks to “connect overlooked talent with life-changing careers, breaking cycles of struggle and opening doors to success.”
To find similar services in your area, ask around about local resources or Google terms like “job placement services” or “workforce development services” along with the name of your city. (You can find a more detailed overview of how to find help by reading our blog post on Resources for Career and Vocational Improvement)
Finally, never overlook the power of the informational interview.
When you make connections through mutual friends, LinkedIn, networking events, or other sources, ask them if they’d be open to grabbing lunch sometime. Use the opportunity to ask questions about the industry you’d like to be a part of.
You’d be amazed at how many successful people will say “yes” to a request for an informational interview, happily sharing vital knowledge that will help you navigate the industry!
At RaiseUp Families, we know that if you want financial stability for your family, you need a decent job. That’s why we’re passionate about helping you find a professional network to give you support and wisdom on your journey.
If you live in the Houston, TX area, we’d love to connect you with local resources that can help you further your career goals!
We also have a HandUp program, designed to help struggling families attain a brighter future for their children. On our blog, you can find stories of real women who have flourished and found success through completing the HandUp program. If you have further questions about how we can help you, please email us! We look forward to working with you.
