Why Is Poor Job Networking Killing Your Chances of Being Employed?

Why is poor job networking killing your chances of being employed?

Do you know that 80% of Job vacancies are not made public and are acquired through networking?? This fact emphasizes how important job networking is.

This is why if you not tapping the benefits networking can offer, you are killing your chances of getting your next job faster.

If you read NextJobPro regularly, you already know that we are helping you get your new job faster. Apart from the tools that NextJobPro offers, we are regularly sharing tips, tricks, and best practices to get you out of unemployment quickly. And if you are already employed, you can still use NextJobPro to transition to a better job.

Our pivot in our previous articles was why you can’t find a job, and how to invert the situation and find a new job quicker.

This article speaks extensively on how networking can be a good way of getting a job, reasons your job networking isn't working, and networking tips for getting a Job.

What is job networking and why is it useful when looking for a job

Networking Is a strategic process that requires interpersonal relationships with people to exchange or acquire information within a common interest and is majorly done informally. Networking has proven effective over the years in awareness of opportunities and the latest information about the job market. 

Many regards networking as a way of using others for your benefit, but it's way past that. Little do we know that networking is also a way of avoiding loneliness and depression. It's the normal relationships you create with friends and family that places you at enjoying certain benefits from them just the same way with you.

Do you know that several companies require the best man for the job, and most employers are so time-limited going through resumes? The most successful job candidates use networking to find a job because employers like to hire someone they have a connection with and are sure they can get the job done. That's just how powerful the networking is.

Networking is the best way to find a job because it disregards the stages of getting a job. Starting from searching for a job, submitting your resume, going for an interview, and even awaiting a response to confirm if you are hired for the work. Networking comes in 2 different forms. They are the following:

• The Personal Networking relationship includes someone you are intimate with, like your sibling, extended family, spouse, or relative, while the,
• The Business/Professional Networking relationship is a relationship developed between friends, neighbors, alumni, different associational groups, or any indirect relationship. It is also a connection done within a group of people created for business-related purposes.

Networking also eliminates competition. I'm sure you know that several applicants enroll for a particular job. Networking places you above others because of the relationship you've built with the employer. 

Networking also opens up opportunities for that job you are interested in. It also shows ways by which you can acquire the job with ease, and you won't be in a state of ignorance about the company or organization. But do you know that there are specific reasons why the people you associate yourself with are not bringing you closer to getting a job? Let's check out why.

5 reasons your job networking is not working

1. You aren't networking enough

Once of the possible reasons that you are not getting a job could be you are not networking enough. Ask yourself these questions:

Have you checked the people within your circle? 

Did you try to find out how they can be helpful to bring you to your desired job? 

How often do you interact in social gatherings? 

You not mingling or socializing with others isn't superiority. It's limiting your chances of getting employed. If I rate all the strategies that can quickly land you a job, networking will be at the top.

2. You aren't networking in a way that works

Networking can bring you the desired results. However, the only limiting factor is not doing it in the way that works all the time. Many job seekers have a bad networking habit. For example, when you don't follow up with your network, it becomes difficult to find them helping you again. 

Networking brings wonders if done with a natural conversational approach. What I mean is to converse with decision makers. You can do so by finding out what are they doing, and making an opportunity to engage in conversation.

3. You haven't asked for enough help

This can also be likened to un-specificity in what you need. Beating around the bush only confuses people further. Have you taken the time to ask for what you need? Or do you believe it's too much to ask for? Not at all; if you believe they are in a position to get it done, ensure you appreciate it once you have been employed. Also, the vague specificity of your skill water down your capability.

4. LinkedIn engagement

LinkedIn revealed in their research that more than 35% of users that engaged in a casual conversation in messaging had lead to a new opportunity. This is the power of engagement.

This research further reveals that one quarter of professional have gained new business partnerships via a conversation on LinkedIn. This means that you have a better way of garnering contacts worth your while on LinkedIn. however, if you've not been on this platform or have not been taking full advantage of it, you are truly short changing yourself.

There are several ways you can use to increase your engagement on LinkedIn. For example, you can directly comment on what other people post, or like their posts. You can also share their posts on your profile. You can tag other people in relevant posts to bring them in conversation loops. Or simply send them a private message

5. You haven't used your personal and professional networks

If you are the type that depends solely on using Resumes and CVs, it's quite a good thing, but to get things done faster, your networks can get it done easily. Have you caught up with those long-distance relatives that you sure know can get your work done? Have you met with those long-time friends but you still have quite the relationship with them? Make use of this relationship to be employed. Little do you know that your professional network or contacts are owned for purposes of getting you a job. This cuts across both your online and offline contacts. Not getting across to them means you have it sorted; if not, they require you to make a move to ask what you need. 

9 Networking tips for getting a job

1. Make a list of all the people you know

This should be your first step in organizing and getting networks. Start with the personal network first. Meet with family members like your parents, siblings, niece, cousins, spouse, and other relatives. Ensure you create a strong relationship with them. These should be your priority as they will endeavor to go beyond their capacity to make things work out. 

Afterward, go for the professional network build-up. Start with close friends and co-workers, associations, neighbors, old acquaintances, organizational groups like church, mosque, alumni, recreational friends, plumber, lawyer, doctor. Also, check through your social media accounts, be it Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and other applications that you make use of. Also, engage awareness platforms like medium and LinkedIn to associate with people. 

With this in mind, I'm sure you can see that you have more networks than you can imagine. Just know that people are meant to interact, and your interaction with them will surely go beyond chatting but should be of mutual benefit.

2. Figure out the outcome first before job networking

After you must have gathered all these networks, the next step is to sift through those contacts. It would be best to be specific about employers that truly meet your requirements and skill(s). This is how you eliminate not asking for enough help. 
Now note the example between "notify me if there's any job offer" to "can you notify me for any computer analyst vacant position." The latter gave a more detailed prescription of what you want than the former. 

Of all the contacts you've gathered, ensure you know how to approach them and the aim you wish to achieve, do not be rude with your approach, and ensure that you are constantly keeping tabs on the progress they've made so far. However, as I said earlier, never take any help for granted; ensure you appreciate all of your networks after being employed through one of them.

3. Fight your fear

Many are uneasy and ashamed about their unemployed state. Some are even scared of approaching others. But do you know that many people know how it feels to be unemployed? They encourage you to keep at it so as not to give up. Rarely will you find anybody chastises you about your situation. People always feel good about helping others, so pitching your situation to them is also helping them. You can also use this opportunity to relate with old friends and keep the memories alive, so be sure that asking for help isn't belittling but rather human.

4. Expand your network

Do not stop acquiring more contact; that's the secret to not giving up. Ensure to maximize every opportunity you have with anyone new. Don't look down on what anybody has to offer as simple advice can turn the tide about you being employed. Don't stop at people you know or have conversed with; meet guys like your uncle's friend, your daddy's friend, your brother's spouse, and any other ties affiliated to you and not. Approach to your second degree and even third-degree connections on LinkedIn. This surely boosts your network strength and means of getting a job.

5. Never Sell, Build Relationships

Never pitch yourself as a problem, don't sell yourself out, but rather build relationships. Try to understand who you are chatting with, ask questions, be free in relating with them, and get to know them better. 

Let’s elaborate it with an example. Let’s say you are chatting with a long-time friend, and after exchanging pleasantries, your first attempt was to ask if any job offer is available. It is somehow insulting and discrediting. Try to catch up on what's happened so far and how things are before you pitch your request. This is how to be thoughtful and mindful. And as stated earlier, be specific with your request, try not to be vague with what you want, and this is how you build your relationship on good ground.

6. Quality of network

Now, you need to review your network, especially if there isn't any positive result after some time. Check for the strength and loopholes of your network to re-strategize where to focus your energy. With this focus, you will know which networks are holding you back, how to gather new networks, and how to improve your communication skills.

7. Get contact details

Ensure you get the contact details of people paramount to you and who are promising. Remember that gaining more members in your network isn't a bad thing but isn't the goal because quality matters over numbers. 
After you have acquired tons of lists, ensure to sieve through so as not to waste your time and drag your goal back. So, within the little list, you've decided to stick with, get enough details about them so that follow-up would be easy.

8. Be consistent

This is a simple yet difficult task for many to achieve. Do not be idle, waiting for a response before asking for the update. Do not waste time checking up on your network, even in the act of goodwill and not only about you. Actions like this charge them to put more effort into your request. Consistency is what drives your aim, so do not stop at it.

9. Follow up

There are steps involved in following up your network. Introduce yourself; send a well-detailed request to your networks, ensure to make a physical meeting with your networks, show professionalism, and learn to appreciate. With this, your chances of gaining employment are quite good enough.

In Summary

With the ideas mentioned above about job networking, you already know what to work with, especially the tips about networking. Networking helps you identify opportunities you can annex to use and better ways to approach things. So never give up networking; it gives a better edge in the job market. Wishing you all the luck!