The Power of Networking

The Power of Networking

Research and studies support the fact that the majority of all hiring decisions are the result of a referral.  When a potential employee has been referred to a company or organization, this candidate brings one major characteristic that separates him/her from the rest of the candidate pool – instant credibility.  Human Resource professionals, hiring managers, supervisors, and other management officials are constantly looking for ways to decrease the amount of time it takes to fill a position, which saves the organization time and money.

When a candidate is referred for a position, this often ensures a number of things:

• he/she meets the qualifications of the opening,
• he/she has specific, relevant experience that will allow for an immediate impact upon being hired, usually with limited or perhaps no training at all, and
• knowledge, skills, and abilities have already been proven, affording him/her instant credibility and consideration from the employer.

To increase your networking potential and power, consider the following tips:

• Make a positive impression upon everyone you meet – you never know who you could be communicating with at any given time.
• Create a database or notebook of past managers, supervisors, professors, co-workers, or other individuals with whom you have interacted on a professional level.  Whether it was a co-worker or simply someone who has interviewed you in the past, these individuals could open the door for future opportunities within their company/agency and perhaps with others.
• Save every business card that you are given, particularly those from individuals who have some type of influence in the hiring process ( i.e., HR Managers, Department Managers, etc.).
• Build a strong relationship with every person you will use as a professional reference.
• Attend career fairs, professional development seminars, or other workshops that will present an opportunity for interaction with other professionals.
• Become a frequent visitor of your Career Services Office. They will posses the “heads-up” on available openings within your field of study, and will be able to assist you with your career development process.
• Be mindful of how you leave or get terminated from a position. If you leave home the right way, you could very well be given the opportunity to come back home if necessary.