Liz Christianson
The internet is all abuzz about the job market, and ironically, the news is that the online job market is “dead”. We’ve seen countless headlines and YouTube videos decrying the loss of the online job market. The complaint is that there aren’t any good jobs posted on LinkedIn, Indeed, or other online job boards anymore. While there certainly are jobs being posted there, employers are more often than not trying to fill positions internally or through employee referrals. Which means finding work now is as much about who you know as what you know.
In the worst market in recent years, job candidates are stumped as to how to find work, and regardless of the question, the answer is: You need to turn to your network to find a new opportunity.
We’ve heard the phrase, “Your network is your net worth.” It’s never been more apparent than in these difficult times. Unemployment numbers are increasing, and they’re even higher than the “official” reported numbers by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The market is flooded with candidates, but Corporate America isn’t hiring, due to uncertainty with inflation, tariffs, and other considerations. Right now, having a solid network is worth its weight in gold.
But what if you don’t have a network?
How Do I Get A New Job Without A Network?
There are a few strategies to help you out. Having a strong resume that highlights your skills and uses the keywords from the job post helps when describing your experience. You can check out tips for how to format your resume here. You’ll also want to write a thoughtful cover letter. Don’t just slap together a couple of jargon-filled paragraphs. Recruiters and hiring managers have read those already. Set yourself apart with your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Impress them with your research into the company by mentioning how you feel you can contribute to the success of the organization. You don’t need to regurgitate your resume. This is your chance to show how your unique qualifications are a perfect match. And don’t forget the call to action. Be sure to include some variation of “I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can contribute to (Company Name’s) success.”
In addition to a well-crafted resume and cover letter, pay attention to your references. You may have known your references for decades, but unless you’ve built empires with them, maybe consider a different contact who can hype your skillset and fitness for the position you’re interested in. You want your references to give you credibility in your field. And you want to make sure that you conduct yourself professionally in a way that reflects well on them. The way you show up for yourself and others at work develops the strength of your connections.
How Do I Grow My Network?
You may think, “But I don’t know anyone!”. We don’t think that’s true. You know plenty of people. The people in your book club, people you went to school with, former co-workers, people you volunteered with… See? You know people. Often, we get so busy with our lives, we don’t put in the effort to stay connected. Try reaching out to school friends or former co-workers. There are other ways to grow your network, too.
Joining Professional Networks
You can find online groups for like-minded individuals to connect and build professional relationships. Another option is professional associations. Many industries have professional organizations that enable members to connect, expand their professional networks, and provide opportunities to grow their client lists, as well as facilitate the exchange of referrals.
Casual Contact Groups comprise individuals from various industries, fostering relationships and expanding their professional networks. An example of a casual contact group that might yield some solid contacts is your local Chamber of Commerce. Meetup is another option. Most may feel like Meetup is just for hobbies and personal interests, but it may also be a good resource for professional contacts. And who knows, maybe joining a local hiking group may introduce you to someone in your field who could someday help you get a job. And vice versa.
Strong Contact Groups are a more structured version of a networking group. Often, groups like this are more exclusive and may only allow one person per industry to join. This is a better option for someone with a small business trying to drum up customers or talk about their services than someone looking for a job.
Another option to consider is volunteering. It’s an opportunity to give back to your community and meet new people who share your values while demonstrating your skills and commitment to a cause.
What’s The Next Step?
We’ve given you some examples of where to network. Hopefully, this will help you brainstorm more ideas of where to meet your future colleagues. But once you get there, what do you do next? Jobhunter has a few tips for how to network. Choose some options that feel authentic for you and your goals.
- Make genuine connections. Figure out what you can contribute to the relationship, instead of banking on only what you can get from it. A good connection is based on trust and reciprocity.
- Stay consistent. Once you have a new connection, it’s important to continue to build and strengthen it. When you meet someone at an event, make sure you exchange contact information. Definitely follow up with them by sending a message, referencing your conversation, and letting them know you are interested in staying in touch.
- An easy way to exchange contact information and be memorable is to have some business cards with you. Instead of the standard, boring business card, have yours reflect not just your profession, but also your personality. A non-standard color scheme, or even a QR code that links to your portfolio, is a good way to stand out.
- Talk to new people. Even if you’re a bit of an introvert, there’s no way around needing to speak to people when networking. A few meaningful and memorable conversations at an event will yield more positive results than a lot of quick small-talk chats. If you can’t remember the names of all the people you talked to, they can’t remember your name either.
In Summary
Finding a job in a tough job market sometimes depends more on who you know than what you know. Having a solid resume that showcases your skills and experience, and is properly formatted for easy scanning, is as important as having a solid professional network to let you know when jobs are available and, hopefully, recommend you to the hiring manager. In order to grow your network, you need to put in the work to reconnect with old colleagues or classmates and meet new people. Professional Associations, online, and in-person networking groups may be the keys to success. Keep your goals in mind as you grow your network and strive for genuine connections with people based on trust and reciprocity. Good hunting.