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Networking
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Networking is the key...
Your network is your personal list of contacts, i.e. anyone you know. Networking is talking to people. Simple as that. You will already be networking, often without thinking about it. Have you ever been to a party where a friend of a friend invited you? That is networking. And as you network, your list of contacts will steadily grow.
Online networking is now huge, from both a social and professional perspective. Take Facebook and MySpace. Whilst studying you become 'friends' with everyone you meet, in lectures, on a night out or because a friend suggested you add them. In two years time they may work for a Company where you are interested in working, or you want to do business with. They may not be the person making the final decision, but a personal recommendation goes a long way. If nothing else, they may be able to give you tips on the best way to approach the right person and what the company focus is at the time. Social networking sites allow you to keep up to date with what people are doing and allow you to keep in touch. With email addresses and phone numbers constantly changing a quick message on these sites can go a long way and are more informal and often more effective.
Twitter and LinkedIn are more professional networking sites, used by business people across the world. Twitter is a micro-blogging site where you change your 'status' as little or as much as you want but can only use up to 140 characters. You build a viewable profile and if someone likes it then they can 'follow' you. You can respond to what other people twitter and attract attention with a thought provoking status. LinkedIn is a site where you build a profile and create 'connections' with colleagues. You list your employment and education history and can write recommendations for colleagues and they can write recommendations for you. If you apply for a job your potential employer can search for you on LinkedIn and view your profile and any recommendations you may have, so it is important to keep your profile up to date.
Towards the end of your education, you will start to think about your future career. It is a known fact that well over half of all jobs are found through networking, not through the more visible routes of advertisements and recruitment agencies. Start networking early and you will reap the rewards. Studentgems.com will help you to build your network and add valuable contacts for the future. In addition to these contacts, the online feedback will provide a ready bank of references, which can only help you to increase your appeal to a future employer. You will immediately have proven yourself to have tenacity, commercial awareness, willingness to work... and experience.
- Your network will probably include friends, family, family friends, tutors, acquaintances, sports partners, work mates, that person you chat to on the bus each morning... and so on.
- Never assume that someone will not be any benefit to you in your network. You do not know who their contacts are.
- Ask for help and advice; most people are very happy to give 20 - 30 minutes if you ask.
- Listen and be interested in what they say.
- Remember to keep in contact with people regularly; an email every so often to maintain links is important.
- Be prepared to give other people help and advice - networking is a two-way process.
