One of the best ways of finding a job is to network. Oddly enough, the rules for in person and online networking are very similar.
For example, in both cases:
- Introduce yourself. An “anonymous” profile online sends as bad a message as refusing, in person, to tell someone your name.
- Tell the truth and be consistent. You need not share your life story but you should make sure that the information you do share is truthful and identical both in person and online. That’s one reason to keep your online presence as professional as your personal presence—and vice versa.
- Show genuine interest in the other person. Engage people by asking questions about what they do, their interests and their families. When you show interest, you build relationships that may help you in the future. Listening is a much more valuable skill than talking.
- Be helpful. Give recommendations to people online or pass along job openings you may have heard of that are not right for you. When you are helpful to others, they want to be helpful to you.
- Get involved. If you go to a networking event and sit on the sidelines, you are wasting your time. Join online groups or start one yourself; volunteer at an industry event or join a nonprofit board; people will remember who you are and what you can do, and you’ll keep your skills sharp.
Networking pays off as people who know people think of you for their next job opening. And when that happens, you will want a resume that justifies their trust in you. Contact Robin’s Resumes®.