The Importance of Networking
| By Jessica Miller-Merrell | Career, Gen Y, Job Search, Millenials
If it hasn’t already, the spring semester for many colleges is in full swing. Seniors are getting anxious to walk across the aisle and ready to start the next chapter in their life. The number one item on the mind of seniors is finding a job. While the majority of career-oriented programs at universities and colleges advise their students to begin looking for a job three to four months before graduation, networking is something that needs to be done the entire time you are a student. establishing connections with recruiters at companies, gaining knowledge, and even interning at some of your A-List employers.
While Networking 101 should be a class in college, unless you’re a go-getter, most colleges don’t teach the importance of networking. Who you know may very well be more significant than what you know in a recruiters’ market. As critical as a college education is, networking is the difference between landing a job at your desired company. Here are some ideas I have for getting your college career going. Start your networking now if you are a junior or senior.
Don’t be Afraid To Talk About Future Employment
It’s crucial to maintain your composure when speaking with recruiters or potential employers. After all, “no” is the worst possible response. To find the best fit for their employer, recruiters must make the proper hires. They are there to support you since they rely on trustworthy people to do their jobs. It’s crucial to project confidence when networking with recruiters from your ideal firm. Particularly if you’re at a training session or employment fair, first impressions are crucial.
Start Interning
One of the best ways to show off your skills to an employer is to try and intern for them. It’s usually easier to get hired as an intern over a full time employee and interning gives you a sense of the company culture and if you really like it. When interning you usually work with a team similar to the one you would be working with as a regular employee. Making friends with potential supervisors is a great way to network. Even if you aren’t offered a job it’s likely they will have other connections and help you in succeeding.
Go Beyond your Industry
Who says you must just network with people in your industry? You can connect with people who will expand your core network and position you as more useful when it comes to your own sector by expanding your networking across a range of industries. With a large network, you can serve as the conduit between individuals in various fields. especially when providing services to different industries.
Share Your Insider Information
Do you have networking secrets that have worked for you in the past?
I agree, Networking 101 should be a class, and in my opinion Internship 101 should be mandatory. Not only does an internship help people network, but it teaches them hands on skills that they can’t get out of a textbook or classroom lecture. Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully it will get some students thinking long before graduation.
I completely agree Brittany! If I would’ve learned the importance of an internship in college I probably would’ve been more pro-active in getting one. Waiting till I was out of college was rough because I had to find a real world job to pay the rent/bills. Having an internship at that point was hard, but it worked out in the end. I couldn’t be happier how things turned out in that area.
Oops! SP– “aisle” not “isle”
Thanks for that catch!
I couldn’t agree more that doing an internship for company is a great way to show off your skills. It’s difficult not to hire someone when they are doing an astoundig job, and for free!
One of the things that worked for me is speaking to people who are already doing the job I want to do.I find most people are happy to talk about their experience, and a simple invite for coffee (well, there is a process that doesn’t make the prospect sound creepy to the recipient!) is all it takes to have a meaningful conversation and gain a contact.
– Razwana