Networking remains among the best ways to help job seekers are able to find work, which is why it is important to establish many strong connections.
If you’re seeking to increase your circle of professional contacts, building relationships online will greatly benefit the overall success of your efforts.
Use these 3 strategies to expand your online presence:
Begin by using LinkedIn
LinkedIn has grown to be the preferred platform for professional networking. Be sure to take the full benefit of everything it can offer. Allow LinkedIn to automatically create “easy” contacts by extending invitations to all within your contact book. After that, take heed of its regular suggestions for other users, as you may be familiar with using your data.
You might be struck by a friend from the past or a college sorority sibling who could make a great addition. If you know someone that you’d love to get acquainted with, LinkedIn can sort through your social networks for “shared connections” that might help in introducing you to them.
Make an Effort in Meetings and Conversations
Are you looking to make new friends from your area of expertise? Sign up for Facebook and other social media chats and groups that are devoted to your area of interest. For some suggestions for networking on LinkedIn, go to “interests,” and then choose “groups” by selecting the drop-down list. Twitter hosts chats on a variety of professional subjects. Look for hashtags with “chat” within them. You can also look up the main list.
Don’t join and be an observer. Get your name visible by commenting, posting, and promoting. There’s no way to know if someone could be impressed by your knowledge or viewpoint. Take note of those you find interesting and invite them to participate in your online community.
Combine Online and Traditional Networking
Job seekers can increase their network online by going offline!” says HR professional and resume writer Tiffani Murray from the Personality On A Page.
When you meet people at networking events, conferences, training classes, or other professional events, ask them if they’re connected to LinkedIn. A lot of times, you can connect now. If you receive an invitation card from a business, make it a habit to add those whom you have met on your online networks after returning to your personal computer. Alter the default invitation to let them know where you had the chance to meet them.”
Another method of combining both is to use online technology to discover offline connections within your geographic area.
Visit the Meetup site to find groups that are getting together to discuss a common interest, for example, entrepreneurial women for women or writing nonfiction. Check to be involved in charitable events in your area and connect with people who share the same interests. After that, you can complete your social networking efforts by inviting all your new acquaintances into your online community.
Don’t forget, networking isn’t just about making a connection with someone just once and hoping for miracles. It’s more about good relationships require trust over the course of time to ensure that both parties are genuinely interested in helping each other.