Written by Shelley Omand, BA, BSW (Honours), BEd (A), CEB. Career Coach, Mohawk College
Networking is a critical tool in advancing your career, providing unique opportunities to broaden your professional horizons, uncover hidden job prospects, and establish meaningful connections. Despite its importance, navigating the job market and identifying relevant contacts can be daunting. At Student and Graduate Employment, we offer comprehensive support including resume writing, cover letter crafting, reference sheet development, and assistance with career development and networking strategies.
To effectively leverage networking, utilize various resources such as research, networking events, LinkedIn, informational interviews, professional associations, recruiters, and referrals. These avenues can help connect you with decision-makers and professionals in your industry. It's essential to approach networking authentically, prioritizing the cultivation of genuine relationships, even in the absence of immediate job opportunities. These connections can often lead to future prospects and invaluable industry insights.
With networking playing such a pivotal role in career growth, let's delve into why networking is so indispensable and explore some effective strategies to maximize its impact.
Importance of Networking:
Access to Hidden Opportunities: Many job openings are never advertised publicly but instead are filled through referrals and word-of-mouth, making networking an invaluable resource for accessing unadvertised positions.
Building Relationships: Networking within the Mohawk College community is a valuable resource for students and graduates, offering opportunities to connect with industry professionals, receive mentorship, gain insights, and expand career prospects. By actively engaging with professionals and colleagues, you can build meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and shared interests. Leveraging these connections can provide valuable guidance, industry knowledge, and potential job opportunities, ultimately helping to propel your career forward.
Learning about Companies: By networking, you can gather knowledge and understanding about different companies and organizations, aiding in identifying the right fit for your career objectives.
Personal Branding: Building a strong, robust professional network enhances your reputation and personal brand, making you more appealing to potential employers.
Types of Networking Strategies:
Informational Interviews, often referred to as ‘coffee and a chat,’ offer a unique opportunity to engage with professionals in your field. These conversations provide invaluable insights into various aspects of the industry, including career paths, specialized areas, and the day-to-day realities of the work. By participating in these interviews, you can gain a deeper understanding of the field, uncover unforeseen job opportunities, and explore new avenues for professional growth.
Strategic Volunteering: Consider dedicating a few hours a week to volunteering for organizations or events related specifically to your career interests to expand your network, showcase your dedication, develop new skills, and enhance your resume. Check out strategic volunteering in your field. Take a look at our Volunteer webpages or connect with Volunteer sites including Mohawk Volunteer and Mohawk College Alumni Volunteer to ask about Volunteer opportunities in your field.
Leveraging Personal Connections: Share your resume with family, friends, and colleagues, inside and outside your field(s) of interest, as they may be aware of job openings or connections that could prove beneficial.
Explore Professional Networking Events such as industry-specific gatherings, conferences, ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions, ‘Meet the Grad events’ and job fairs to engage with professionals and potential employers in person. Stay updated on upcoming events by following the Student & Graduate Employment LinkedIn showcase page. Additionally, be sure to check out Mohawk College Events for more opportunities.
Online Networking: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals, join relevant groups, and engage in discussions to broaden your online network. Remember: the best way to get someone interested in you is to be interested in them. Some examples:
- Share valuable content by regularly posting insightful articles, industry news, or relevant tips that showcase your expertise and provide value to your connections. Include your thoughts/insights to make the content more engaging/personalized.
- Engage thoughtfully by interacting with your connections' posts by liking, commenting, and sharing. Offer meaningful contributions to discussions, ask questions, and provide helpful feedback. This helps you stay visible and fosters engagement with your network.
- Offer help/support by proactively offering assistance to your connections. If you see someone seeking advice/help in your area of expertise, offer your assistance willingly. Demonstrating a willingness to contribute strengthens your relationships.
- Personalize Connection Requests when asking to connect by mentioning common interests, mutual connections, or why you'd like to connect increases the likelihood of your request being accepted and helps build a genuine connection.
- Participate in Relevant Groups by joining LinkedIn groups relevant to your industry, interests, or professional goals. Engage actively by sharing valuable insights, participating in discussions, and connecting with group members. This expands your network beyond your immediate connections.
- Send Personal Messages when connecting with new contacts or reaching out to existing ones to express a genuine interest in their work, accomplishments, or recent posts adds a personal touch that strengthens relationships and makes your interactions more meaningful.
Experiential Learning: Engage in internships, placements, co-op programs, apprenticeships and strategic volunteering to acquire hands-on experience, cultivate connections, and bolster your resume. These opportunities provide practical skills and industry insights essential for career advancement. Check out: Mohawk College Apprenticeships, Mohawk College.ca Placements, and Government Internships
Tips for Effective Networking
Authentic Interactions: Be genuine in your networking efforts, building relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Value Exchange: Offers value to your connections in return for what you receive from them. This can include sharing industry insights, making introductions, providing resources, supporting initiatives, and expressing gratitude. By offering assistance and support to your network, you foster meaningful relationships and contribute to mutual growth and success.
Follow-Up: Maintain relationships with your network even after securing a job, nurturing connections for future opportunities and lifelong learning.
Continuous Refinement: Continuously refine your networking strategy as your career progresses, adapting to evolving industry dynamics and advancements.
In conclusion, while networking may seem challenging, it's an essential tool for advancing your career. It offers valuable insights, access to hidden opportunities, and connections crucial for landing your dream job. Approach each interaction with professionalism, preparedness, and genuine interest in learning from others. Remember, building relationships takes time, so stay proactive and focus on nurturing connections. By leveraging various networking strategies, both online and offline, you can boost your job search efforts and open doors to new career opportunities. Connect with us at Student and Graduate Employment, and book an appointment on the CareerReady Portal to help with your Career development and networking strategies. Keep networking, stay persistent, and success will follow.
