Networking yourself

We've all heard the phrase before: "It's not what you know, it's who you know."  While knowledge and training are undoubtedly important to your career success, you could still have trouble breaking in to your field no matter how talented you are.  The search for jobs can be tough, and not all opportunities are widely advertised.  When positions open up, sometimes employers look to their staff for initial referrals. The only way to find out about these openings is through networking.  Finding and maintaining contacts in the industry can help bridge the gap between you and your dream job.

The art of networking is all about making connections.  These connections can begin in any number of places, and many times, useful contacts are right in front of you.  Think about who you already know.  Maybe you have a friend who works in an office on campus.  Maybe you know someone who already works in the field you're interested in.  Think about your coworkers and your classmates.  Participate in organizations that focus on your area of interest to meet other people in your field.  

Put yourself out there.

Karolyn Bald, employee of the UW-L Career Services, suggests using social networking to start the networking process.  "You can even list, ‘I am looking for a job in marketing in the Milwaukee area.  Does anyone have any connections?'  It is surprising to learn who has a cousin who works in marketing or whose mom is the HR director for a major company in Milwaukee."  LinkedIn is another good networking tool.  "LinkedIn is the professional version of Facebook except your profile is your resumeé" said Bald.  "Once you are in LinkedIn, join the UW-La Crosse Alumni page.  Alums love to help new alumni."  The options are endless.

Once you've identified a useful contact, it's time to establish a connection.  Networking isn't just the process of handing someone your card and hoping for a job referral in the future.  There's a difference between making an initial contact and actually making a connection with another person.  Remember, you want this person to think of you positively when they hear of a job opening or have useful career information to share.  Be sure to make a good impression.  Ask questions and show that you are genuinely interested in what they do.  Check in every once in a while.

According to Bald, "finding a job is a job!  It takes time, commitment and resourcefulness to make things happen.  Use the tools available to you and always remember to pay it forward some day."