How Important Is Networking?
Perhaps one of the most important elements that contribute to the success of any business is networking. It is not only vital for people looking to expand their product presence in the market but also to people looking for opportunities for employment or investment. Whether you are interested in getting graduate jobs or a viable investment idea, networking will take you a long way. The people in your network tend to understand you better and could easily provide references when needed to help you get opportunities.
The benefits of networking to jobseekers
Looking for a job can be tough especially when you lack actual work experience. In many cases you have to work extra hard just to convince any potential employer of your ability to add value to their company or organisation. Landing graduate jobs could prove to be an uphill task without some credible endorsements from business people. However if you join established professional networks like the Guardian Teacher Network you will find that you are quickly up to speed with what’s current in the teaching sector.
Make sure that you regularly comment on blogs, forums and Twitter so that you get noticed for the right reasons by your peers. Commenting regularly will also show prospective recruiters or high value network members that you are passionate about what you do.
Networking enhances easy movement within or across the system
It is highly likely these days that jobseekers will go through a range of career changes, linear career paths are far less common than they used to be. There’s no problem with this, so long as candidates can show that their career progression has been linear. Perhaps they moved to develop specific skills, or for enhanced exposure to say foreign markets, or managing teams. It is important to stay in touch with your network, and focus on networking down, up and across; you never know where your next opportunity may come from.
The more you extend your network the more you will seem to have a grasp on the relevant information in your industry. Marketing professionals in particular are major beneficiaries of networking. Informed Marketing Intelligence (IMI) has always been the elixir of marketing and a route into big job offers from employers who feel that bringing a well-networked individual on board will impact their top-line.