Are networking events still relevant?

As a recruiter and career coach, I regularly advise job seekers that networking is a key factor in finding a job.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s not just about what you know, but also about who you know. Two articles, “How to Network Effectively for Career Advancement in 2023” by 5min Knowledge and “How to Grow Your LinkedIn Network” by MyHQ Digest, offer valuable insights on how to network effectively to find a job.

According to 5min Knowledge, effective networking involves identifying your target audience, setting networking goals, and leveraging social media platforms. Identifying your target audience means understanding who you want to connect with and why.

Setting networking goals involves defining what you want to achieve from your networking efforts. Leveraging social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter, can help you attract and connect with people in your industry or discipline and build meaningful relationships.

MyHQ Digest emphasizes the importance of having a strong LinkedIn profile to grow your network. A strong profile should include a professional photo, a catchy headline, and a summary that highlights your skills and achievements. Once you have a strong profile, you can begin to connect with people in your industry by joining relevant groups, commenting on posts, and sharing valuable content.

In addition to these tips, I also recommend attending networking events and prominent charity fundraisers to expand your network. When attending events, it’s important to be prepared. While most sources suggest you need an “elevator pitch”, I recommend a different approach. While you should have business cards, focus on connecting on a personal level with the people you meet. No one goes to these events to hear “elevator pitches”. Rather, have a concise statement related to yourself and job/career search.

Your goal should be to leave people with a positive personal impression which opens the door to future meetings or calls. There can be a lot of nuances to this but suffice it to say – it takes the pressure off you AND the people you meet allowing more free communication.

Overall, networking is a critical aspect of finding a job in today’s job market. Entire books are written on many of the topics above so if you need some help or direction on network expansion, drop me a note. Let’s set up a call.

#networking #careerdevelopment #socialmedianetwork