You are making your job search more difficult than it needs to be if you do not already have a vibrant network of contacts in your field. The people you’ve met and worked with within your professional network can assist you in understanding how to get employed more quickly.
How to Get Hired Faster — Leveraging Your Professional Network
“Who you know is more important than what you know.” In the job market, the adage isn’t accurate because employers won’t hire you if you can’t show them your talents. However, if you fully utilize your professional and personal networks during your job hunt, you will have faster and greater success in finding a new or even your first job.
According to research, 80% of positions are filled through personal and professional connections, and 70% of opportunities are not advertised on internet job boards. Therefore, your contacts can not only assist you in finding suitable employment vacancies but also offer helpful guidance for your job hunt and professional advancement.
Let’s look at some fundamental strategies for using your networks to land the job of your dreams.
5 Tips to Leverage your Connections to Land a Job
1. Inform that you are looking for a job
Never assume that your connections in your professional network are aware that you are hunting for a job. When you initially meet new people, the conversation regarding your job search might not be appropriate. But as you stay in touch with your network, be sure to let them know that you’re seeking for job and would appreciate any support they can give.
2. Let them know your talents whenever there is an opportunity
One of the finest methods to inspire your professional network if you are a plumber seeking a job is to demonstrate your degree of expertise.
While you don’t want to develop the practice of doing huge repairs for free, helping out network contacts who have a leaking faucet or clogged drain will allow you to demonstrate your exceptional customer service abilities and craftsmanship. Utilize every chance you get to encourage your contacts to recommend you for prospective employment.
3. Remind your network about the advantages of referral programs
Many businesses provide huge referral bonuses to current workers who successfully refer new hires who will add value to the business. Remind your contacts in your professional network about referral schemes that can pay them money only for placing you in a position.
Although not every business has one, you can bet that your connections who do work for businesses that do have referral programs are unaware of them.
4. Keep adding value to your network
Although you already possess networking skills, are you also familiar with network maintenance? Be available to provide the information they require if a network contact phones you for advice.
Share any relevant contact from your network with anyone who asks for a certain requirement. When you are active in your network and provide value to your connections, your professional network will work harder to get you a job.
5. Grow your connections
Go out there and broaden your network whenever you have the chance if you want to discover how to get employed more quickly using your professional network. To build your network and dramatically improve your chances of landing a job, talk to individuals in your sector and attend as many social events and career fairs as possible.
Conclusion
Your career network will pay off more for you if you put more into it. Therefore, you need to broaden your professional network if you want to be hired more quickly and land your desired job. You can use these suggestions to your advantage and get the job you deserve.
About the Author
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their team. Here at BCJobs, we understand that looking for a job is difficult. To support our candidates, we recently launched a podcast to help you stand out during your job application. Listen to weekly episodes on our podcast to hear what recruiters are thinking and what companies look for when considering their next hire.
