The current employment
landscape has changed. From the traditional ways of sending or dropping your
resume to the need of validation from your networks for your CV to get the keen
attention it needs by recruiters. Since the process of reviewing resumes is
tedious, most employer and hiring agents find it easier when a potential candidate
is referred to them. About 75% of most job openings are not advertised in the
media but through networks. But the greatest challenge is that networking sounds
intimidating and scary at the same time.
Most graduates find it
difficult to maneuver their way in getting internships, industrial attachments
and employment. The same applies to entrepreneurs who need valuable associates
to help them propel their ventures. To scale up a job hunt and enterprise
growth, we need to check out for meet up events that provide networking among
different professions. It is in such events that we showcase our abilities and
what our ventures are up to. Therefore, networking means building a
relationship so that you can be comfortable in asking for ideas, advice and
referrals. With such visibility, we can speed up the process and success of our
intentions as people love doing business with people known to them.
Peoples skills is
fundamental in engaging strangers in a non-selfish manner. Networking requires
rising above your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone to approach strangers.
In this age and era, networking has proved to be a must do for all future
leaders in manufacturing, business and employment. I have come to learn that it
is important to network and meet potential employers or rather meet potential
referees.
This is because most
employers would rather employ people they know or referred to them by someone
from their network. Referrals act as new validation credential that will be
able to speed up your interviewing process as employers need someone who can be
entrusted with valuable resources. Hiring managers will always want to know
whomever they are hiring as the normal interview process may not reveal your
potential.
In any networking event,
always have an objective. Aim to build a genuine and lasting relationship. This
can only be possible by seeing the world from the other person point of view.
On how to collaborate with the persons you are trying to create a relationship
with and how useful you can be to them. By creating an alliance with the
people, you meet, in the long run, the relationship will be hinged upon
exchange and not transactional in nature since the later can be hired.
For any meaningful
engagement, an individual will need to develop skills for asking and generous
sharing. In asking, you need to be genuine and ask deep and open-ended
questions for you to connect authentically. In sharing, you need to be open and
speak out on your areas of interest, sharing what you know, what you would like
to learn and your fears. In this case, do not expect anything in return but
instead ask for what you can do for the other parties.
Human beings treasure
what they can measure and measure what they treasure as it is highly relevant
in networking. We need to follow up, stay in touch and track results for a
healthy and productive relationship. During networking events, introduce
yourself in a manner to suggest you need a connection from them and not just
talking and mere meeting. To connect, you need to introduce yourself with an
elevator pitch that is short, authentic and conversational.
We may be shy to
start a conversation, but this does not mean we cannot overcome the fear and
approach strangers in any event. In such
a case, always start by asking others to talk about themselves as people like
talking about themselves with ease. Always listen to people deeply and avoid
the inner voice that may distract you from having a fruitful conversation. Try
and overcome the idea of overrating others to be superior as this will make you
feel intimidated, afraid that someone may find you deficient of interpersonal
skill and lastly be comfortable with yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment