NetworkingWhat is it and where do I begin?

This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada

Gain valuable knowledge onwhere employers are findingtheir new employees

Learn how to enlarge your network and make a positiveand professional impact

Find networking groups nearyou and websites to accesshidden networking groups

EFFECTIVE SEARCH

STRATEGIES TO BUILD YOUR NETWORK

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Your Guide to developing a DYNAMIC NETWORKING STRATEGY…

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YOUR JOB SEARCHING TECHNIQUES COMPARED TOEMPLOYER’S RECRUITING PREFERENCES

Another way to look at it is like this.

So why don’t job seekers seek jobs theway that employers seek to hire?

Because it takes us out of our comfortzone when we feel most vulnerable.But if you want a job, then networkquickly and effectively and you won’thave to practice networking for verylong.

NETWORKING IS THE # 1 WAY TO GET A JOB!

In countless formal and informal survey’s people have consistently identified‘Networking’ as the #1 means to getting most of the employment positions thatthey have held. Employment Advisors will always tell you that "80% of the jobsavailable are NEVER advertised.” Employer’s seek new hires differently thanthe way job seekers search for work.

Those who make the actual hiring decisions would much rather talk to someone who has been recommended by someone they already employ. Thisis your first reference check, which saves the hiring manager considerable effort sorting through all the resumes and phone calls an advertisement willgenerate.

EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH

Job Seeker Employer

Networking 10% Networking 50%

Company Websites 20% Company Website 30%

Recruiters 10% Recruiters 10%

Newspapers 20% Newspapers 5%

Job Boards, Career Sites 40% Job Boards, Career Sites 5%

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According to http://www.careerxroads.com/news/SourcesOfHire10.pdfreferrals make up 26.7% of all external hires (new employees hired from outside the organization).” This PDF describes where employers turn to filla vacancy within their company. Your network is only limited by the companyyou keep, both on and off the job. You are networking when you... attendprofessional meetings, conferences, or conventions, visit with other parentsduring your child's sporting or music events, volunteer for your community,socialize with your clubs or religious groups, chat with neighbors or strike upa conversation with someone else waiting at the doctor’s, dentist. In terms ofa job search, netowrking is the best strategy.

STRATEGIES to build your network

TO NETWORK MEANS TO COLLECT AND SHARE VALUABLE INFORMATION WITH AND FROM OTHERS

Think about 4 people you know, start small, such as co-workers, previouscolleagues, family, friends etc. With each person, briefly state your professional pitch and request contact details of 3 of their contacts (preferablypeople who may be familiar with the kind of work you do). Those 3 contactswill have their own contacts and even if they are unable to help you they mayknow someone else who might. Just watch how quickly your network grows.

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BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL PITCH

A 20 second professional pitch is enough time for you toclearly articulate your expertise and let someone knowwhat you are about. Write it out. Say it out loud. Time it.Practice it alone and in front of others; ask them if youare being clear and concise. Once you practice it, withthe right energy and confidence you will be prepared tospeak with the new contacts you will be making.

One caution, don't be a generalist. Don't just say: “I'm aSocial Services Worker and I work for XYZ Company.”Instead, be SPECIFIC, say: “I'm a Social ServicesWorker and my expertise lies in providing support to individuals of poverty, abuse and chronic unemploymentwithin the nonprofit sector.”

You can take a direct approach and ask for job leads, or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice, referred to as an InformationalInterview. Email is a perfectly acceptable way to network as well. Keep yourmessage brief and to the point and be sure to check your spelling, grammar,and punctuation.

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK ARE

1. How did you get involved in __________?

2. What advice would you offer me to be successful in this line of work?

3. What separates your organization/business from the competition?

4. What do you see as upcoming trends for this Industry??

TIPYOU WILL

COMEACROSS ASFAR MORE

PERSONABLEIF YOU ASK QUESTIONSABOUT THE

OTHER PERSON

INSTEAD OFTALKINGABOUT

YOURSELF.

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OTHER NETWORKING STRATEGIES

Remember that people do business with those theyperceive as friendly and those that show genuineinterest in learning about the other person. Byshowing an interest in the other person, youwill:

1. Find out what is important to your contact

2. Enhance your network with further contacts 3. Learn about your new contact’s work or

company's needs4. Demonstrate you are personable with positive listening and

speaking skills

How many people do you see on a regular basis that may not even knowyour name, let alone what your qualifications and skills are? It’s time to letothers know and to identify what you are looking for. So, ask away, you willreap great benefits.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE OPTIONS TO ENHANCEYOUR NETWORK

Job Fairs and Career Fairs Local business networking groups

Boards of Trade Business and social networking groups

Sports groups Other Interest groups

Your Doctor Your Neighbours

Former colleagues Former employers

Fellow job seekers Resource & Information staff

Grocery store clerks Banking staff

Family Friends

Chambers of Commerce Employment Advisors

Library groups Parks & Rec Centres

Groups for the Arts Teachers, yours or your children’s

Your Dentist Regulatory Associations

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BUSINESS CARDS

In addition to keeping copies of your resume on hand, consider using a calling card. You may print off business cards from a Microsoft Word program or you may order FREE business cards from www.vistaprint.caHave someone preview it before ordering to make sure you have key pointsabout your qualifications clearly written. Carrying business cards is easy todo and handing them out will make you feel prepared and professional.

NETWORKING RESOURCES

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Social networking sites such as Facebookor Linkedin are also excellent opportunitiesto network. If you haven’t already connectedwith these sites, what are you waiting for?

Recruiters often use www.linkedin.com toconnect with potential employees and theycheck facebook to see if you are the type of candidate they want working forthem, so be very careful about what you post on the world wide web

Join groups through LinkedIn.examples • York Region Networkers

• Networking in the GTA• Canada Jobs, Careers and Networking

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REGULATORY ASSOCIATIONS

If you belong to a regulatory association, such as Ontario Association forCertified Engineering Technologists and Technicians OACETT, or theProfessional Engineers of Ontario PEO, check out their websites for a list oflocal chapter networking groups and attend the events in your area toexpand your network.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community AND it helps yougain skills and meet new people.

Check Outvolunteertoronto.cayork.cioc.ca/volunteercharityvillage.com

MENTORING

If you are a skilled immigrant with NO Canadian work experience in yourcareer then check out the mentoring programs in your area. Even if itrequires a commitment of a few volunteer hours per month, it is well worthyour investment to be connected to someone in your occupation who will beavailable to assist you.

Mentoring PartnershipSeneca Faculty of Workforce Skills Development, Scarborough416-293-3722 http://www.thementoringpartnership.com

www.workforceready.ca

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