Unlocking Job Opportunities: Avoid These Common Networking Pitfalls

Networking is one of the best ways to uncover jobs that are never advertised. From personal experience, I've found most of my positions through networking, especially as a trailing spouse when my husband was frequently transferred for work. So, I know firsthand that it works.

However, your time is valuable, and job searching is a time-consuming process. To help you make the most out of your networking efforts, let’s discuss some common mistakes to avoid.

Mistake 1: Not Having a Strategy

Think of networking like planning a vacation. You wouldn’t wait until the first day of your trip to make travel and lodging arrangements, right? Similarly, you need a well-thought-out networking plan.

1. Know Your Target: Identify who you want to connect with and what your goals are. Networking with peers within your industry and setting up informational interviews are great starting points.
2. Craft Your Message: Create a clear and concise message with a call to action (CTA). Make it easy for your contacts to know how to respond and take action.
3. Be Consistent: Aim to send five messages a day. Not everyone will respond, but consistency will help you connect with the right people.

Mistake 2: Making It All About You

Your goal in networking isn't to ask for a job directly. Instead, you’re there to learn more about the other person, their work, and their company. This approach helps you gain valuable insights and build rapport and trust.

People love to talk about themselves. When you give them that opportunity, it builds Know, Like, and Trust (KL&T). Use this time to gather information that can help you in your job search while also showing genuine interest in their experiences.

Mistake 3: Not Being Prepared

Preparation is key to making the most of your networking interactions. Plan your questions in advance to ensure a productive conversation. Here are some sample questions to get you started:

• How did you get started in this field?
• What do you like/dislike the most about the work/company/industry?
• What are the most in-demand skills for someone in your field?
• What are the biggest trends you are seeing in the industry?
• What does your typical day or week look like?
• What projects are you working on right now?
• What was your interview process like?
• Who else should I speak to within our industry?

Mistake 4: Failing to Follow Up

Following up is crucial and can be divided into three parts:

1. Thank You Note: Always send a thank you note after an informational meeting to express your gratitude for their time.
2. Connection Follow-Up: If they promised to make a connection or help you in any way, follow up after a week with a call, email, or direct message to rekindle the conversation and show your continued interest and appreciation.
3. Post-Hire Check-In: Once you land a job, reach back out with a quick note to let them know where you ended up. Thank them again for their assistance and offer to help them in the future.

Mistake 5: Not Offering Help

Networking is a two-way street. Always offer to assist those who have helped you. This not only builds stronger relationships but also establishes you as a valuable connection in their network.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding these common networking mistakes will streamline your job search process and help you build meaningful professional relationships. For a deeper dive into these strategies, watch the livestream replay here.

By implementing these tips, you can transform your networking efforts and uncover opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just finding a job. Happy networking!

Finally, earlier this year, I was a contributing author to a book called Brewing Success, A Job Seeker's Guide to Networking. There are many gems inside this book, and it is written from a Christ centered perspective with each chapter having a Bible verse has its inspiration. Get your copy of Brewing Success today!