There’s no underestimating the importance of the people you meet along your career path. From friends at school and former co-workers to the fellow professionals in your field that you’ve encountered along the way, this is your network — the people you might need to call on for advice or even for job leads. Staying connected to your network is the key to having someone to reach out to when you need a little encouragement or a lot of help in your career. Here’s how to make sure you’re keeping in touch.
Initiate Contact
For the shy and retiring types, making friends at school or on the job can be difficult, but it’s the key to building a network of friends and fellow professionals whose guidance and support can be crucial to your career development. So even if it’s awkward, reach out to your classmates and instructors and your coworkers. Be present in class and on the job. Lend a helping hand when it’s needed, and don’t be afraid to ask for one — it’s the easiest way to break the ice and make yourself known.
Use the Right Tools
There’s a reason that social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter, Google + and Facebook are goldmines for job leads — it’s easy to stay in contact with hundreds of people at once. Have a social media presence (even if it’s just a professional one), and use it, even if you’re just posting job-related articles and information. But don’t stop at mass posts, either. Send personal messages to friends and associates on occasion, sharing information or just to say “hi”.
Stay In the Loop
To really keep in contact with your network, go to where the action is. Attend professional conferences and events whenever possible, alumni events when you can, and any other gatherings or events in your career field that will allow you to stay up to date on current trends and meet new friends while also catching up with old ones.
Don’t really have a network to stay connected with? That’s where Staffing Partners comes in! Staffing Partners’ employment experts can help you get a start on your career path by putting you in touch with employers looking for temporary and temp-to-permanent hires with your skills and expertise. You’ll gain valuable career experience and build your network. Call us today to make our recruiters a valuable part of your network!
