Networking for Employment. A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

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2 Contents 1. Why Network? Who is in Your Network? Preparing your Networking Toolkit Types of Networking Additional Resources Why Network? Introduction What can networking do for you? Lead to information on job openings not yet advertised Lead to an inside connection at a company who may put in a good word for you Provide you with insights and ideas into an industry or profession Give you guidance with your job search methods Networking is an essential part of your job-search strategy. The majority of job openings -- estimates range from 75 to 95 percent -- are not advertised in sources such as the newspaper or Internet and are part of the "hidden" job market. You can find out about these jobs only through word of mouth, and word of mouth means networking. Networking includes everything from a casual conversation at a social gathering to an informational interview with a potential employer. Networking doesn't mean asking everyone you run into for a job or even if he or she knows where the job openings are. It means establishing relationships so that you can get support and comfortably ask for ideas, advice, and referrals to those with hiring power. Many people feel threatened by the concept of networking but it doesn t need to be intimidating. This guide takes you through the steps of building a network and how to make your network help you with your job search. The following resources provide an overview of the networking process: Develop Your Networking Skills. McGill University Career Planning Service Provides a general overview of how to build your network. Also includes links to comprehensive, step by step help sheets on various aspects of networking. Networking Your Way to the Job you Want A podcast on networking strategies created by McGill University Career Planning Service Last updated: February 15,

3 2. Who is in Your Network? People you already know Growing your network Start with people you know Your network is probably already bigger than you think it is. It includes your family members, friends, neighbours, and even casual acquaintances. Make a list of people you know including: family members friends neighbours former employers and co-workers members of clubs or community organizations you belong to members of your church classmates teachers and coaches community leaders Also think about people you ve met through your close connections: your sister s co-worker; your best friend s boss; friends of your parents. Don t forget to include people like your doctor, accountant, or yoga instructor. And remember that each network potentially connects you to another network (e.g., your child s teacher can connect you with other parents, your accountant with a business owner, etc). The following tools can assist you in developing your network: Brainstorming Your Network. Alberta Work Search Online Identify Your Network. University of Victoria Growing your network There are a number of ways to expand your existing network. Some useful approaches include: Last updated: February 15,

4 Professional Associations Joining a professional association lets you attend professional development seminars, tradeshows and information events. It is a great way to meet people in your field of interest. Information about local professional associations can be located through the following resources: Associations Canada Includes information about industry and professional associations across Canada. Searchable by type of organization. Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page NOTE: You can access this database from a Library computer. If you are using a computer from outside the Library, you will need a Vancouver Public Library card to login to this database. After clicking on the database name, you will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN (usually last four digits of your telephone number). ASAE Gateway to Associations Directory Contact information for numerous associations. Can narrow search by province/city. BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network The purpose of BCITP Net is to help build associations and networks among internationally trained professionals. Volunteering Volunteering for a charity, community organization or business and professional group is a good way to meet potential business and employment contacts, and also to gain useful work-related experience. Volunteering is often recognized as valuable experience by employers. Volunteer opportunities can be found via the following sites: GoVolunteer.ca A one-stop-shop for local volunteers. The website currently provides volunteer opportunities with over 1,500 organizations in BC and Alberta. Charity Village This website provides volunteer opportunities across Canada. Can narrow search by region. Last updated: February 15,

5 Vancouver Charity Events Volunteering opportunities in Metro Vancouver. Job Search Programs Job clubs can bring together people who are going through the same things you are. They can provide emotional support as well as useful information on looking for work. Job clubs are a great way to network and can be very effective in your job search. Job search programs in Metro Vancouver can be found at: Lower Mainland Employment Resources Provides contact information for job search and career programs in the Lower Mainland. Select Provincial Government Programs from left side menu. Further information on building your network is available through the following sites: How to Build and Expand your Career Network: 10 Proven Techniques Networking Know-How. Service Canada Job Bank mb=107 Career Cruising Look at the Employment Guide: Work Search Networking Strategies. Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page NOTE: You can access this database from a Library computer. If you are using a computer from outside the Library, you will need a Vancouver Public Library card to login to this database. After clicking on the database name, you will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN (usually last four digits of your telephone number). Last updated: February 15,

6 3. Preparing your Networking Toolkit Networking Business Cards Your Elevator Speech Networking Business Cards Networking business cards, which have the look and feel of a traditional business card, give you the opportunity to provide important career and contact information to people you meet in social and professional situations. However, instead of listing a company and job title, a networking card focuses on your career/job goals and/or your key skills and qualifications that would be of interest to those with whom you are networking. Your networking business card can include the following: Name Credentials Specialty/career focus Contact information: telephone number, , website Summary of skills, qualifications, experience and background, qualities as a worker, or accomplishments (on either the front or reverse of the card) Sample networking card: From: Career Cruising database More information on creating business cards available at: Networking Business Cards: An Essential Job Search Tool Business Cards The Job Hunter s Calling Card Career Cruising Last updated: February 15,

7 Look at the Employment Guide. Work Search: Creating a Calling Card. Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page NOTE: You can access this database from a Library computer. If you are using a computer from outside the Library, you will need a Vancouver Public Library card to login to this database. After clicking on the database name, you will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN (usually last four digits of your telephone number). Elevator Speech An elevator speech is a brief explanation that you can state in the time it takes to share an elevator ride. It s a very short summary of yourself, who you are, what you do, your accomplishments and even what you re looking for. While there is no exact formula, the point is to be memorable in a positive way. It s an initial step in making a new contact and building a professional relationship. Further details on how to create and deliver an elevator speech available at: Craft a 30-second Elevator Speech to Impress Potential and Current Employers and Associations The Elevator Speech is the Swiss Army Knife of Job-Search Tools Your Job Search Elevator Pitch Communicate Your Value In These 7 Easy Steps Last updated: February 15,

8 4. Types of Networking Informal Informational Interviews Cold Calling Online Social Networking Informal Informal Networking is a process of tapping into your existing network of friends, family, neighbours and other acquaintances to help develop employment opportunities. It may involve a casual conversation at a social event or an everyday encounter with a friend. During your job search, you may want to direct your conversations to focus on information gathering by asking questions and listening for useful information about potential employment opportunities. Keep your conversations casual and don t feel pressured to turn everything into a job pitch. If someone looks like they would be a good contact to pursue further, ask how you can keep in touch. Informational Interviews An informational interview is a brief meeting with someone who is employed in your field, position or organization of interest. Informational interviews may help you: Get first-hand information and a personal perspective on occupations, fields and organizations of interest Obtain advice and information that may help you target your job search efforts and your job search tools Practise interviewing and networking skills Hear about opportunities before they are posted and receive offers of help from those people with whom you truly connect Broaden your network by getting referrals to other networking opportunities It is important to remember that an informational interview is about information and advice. It is not about calling someone up and asking them for a job. Although not all requests for information interviews are successful, many people and organizations respond very positively to the initiative and courage it takes to ask for an information interview. Further advice on getting and preparing for informational interviews is available via the following websites: Information Interviews Get the Inside Track. Canadian Newcomer Last updated: February 15,

9 Networking Guide. McGill University See Step 3 Find Opportunities through Information Interviews Informational Interviewing. York University Career Centre Informational Interviewing Tutorial Cold Calling Calling companies and organizations of interest and attempting to meet with the person who has the decision-making power to hire you, or with someone who is knowledgeable about the field, is a great way to expand your network. A cold call is a telephone call to someone you do not know, even though the employer has not advertised a job opening. Cold-calling prospective employers can seem scary, but career experts say it can be a powerful tool. Some people prefer to make initial contact by sending a letter of introduction first (also known as broadcast letter), followed by a telephone call. How to Prepare for and Make a Cold Call Prepare a list of companies to contact through company research. (Tip: Level 4 of the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library has a great collection of Company Directories which are a good source of company information) Find out the name of the hiring manager by making a preliminary phone call to the company to obtain this information Have an outline of key points you want to discuss with an employer before you make your call Have a copy of your resume and any information about the company that you are contacting in front of you Always state your name and the purpose of your call Keep the calls brief - less than 3 minutes is best Tell the potential employer about your qualifications first, this way you are giving them something that they can value If the manager seems interested, ask if you can meet to discuss possibilities in more detail. If the manager can't meet with you, ask if you can send in your resume. Whatever happens, thank your contact. Send a thank-you note and re-state your interest in working for his/her organization. Keep the information on your contact and his/her organization. You never know when you might need it again. If you get turned down, do not take it as a personal rejection Last updated: February 15,

10 Further advice on cold calling available via the following websites: Networking Guide. McGill University See Appendix 1: Cold Calling and Telephone Etiquette Access the Hidden Job Market. Service Canada =492&crumb=298&lang=e#research Cold Calling: a time-tested method of job hunting Cold Calls Can Lead to Hot Jobs. Online Social Networking Social networking websites are valuable tools that can help you increase the number of professionals you meet and connect with. Some of these tools include: LinkedIn LinkedIn is the professional equivalent of Facebook. You can use it to connect to the millions of professionals on LinkedIn who use the site to recruit employees, find jobs, participate in online communities, and share expertise. Employers are increasingly using LinkedIn as a recruiting tool, so building your LinkedIn presence is a worthwhile investment. To access LinkedIn, you must first create a profile. To get the greatest value from LinkedIn, you can: Make your profile publicly accessible, so employers will see what you would like them to see when they search for you on Google Use relevant key words in your profile, so that recruiters and other professionals will be able to find you more easily Join professional, networking and alumni groups Search for people not just to research people you plan to meet or conduct information interviews with, but also to search for skills, areas of expertise and training that help people in your field get ahead Search for and follow organizations find the names of people to conduct information interviews with or to address broadcast letters to, identify the titles of positions you d like to apply for, and more Let contacts know that you are in the job market, and specify the skills you have to offer Direct people to your Twitter, blog, online portfolio or webpage Last updated: February 15,

11 Request introductions to people you d like to meet Further information available at: Ten Tips to Enhance Your Job Search on LinkedIn Using LinkedIn for your Job Search. Tufts University MeetUp Meetup is the world's largest network of local groups. Many of these groups are based on professional networks. You can search the Vancouver site for groups with similar career interests (ie: Information Technology ) or experiences (ie: newcomers ) Facebook Unlike LinkedIn, Facebook is a social not professional networking site. However, if used correctly Facebook can be a useful part of your job search. You can use Facebook to: join relevant professional groups, adding details of your professional interests to your page; stay in touch with contacts through alumni and other networking groups; follow companies of interest by becoming a fan of their corporate pages; and more Twitter Twitter is great for broadcasting short calls of help with your job search, giving professional updates, and more. Twitter also gives you a way to connect with people you couldn t access through Facebook or LinkedIn, and to learn what issues concern them and what resources they value. You can also search Twitter for posts on job search to find links to articles and advice. Further information about using online networks for your job search available through the following sites: Social Media. University of Waterloo Career Centre Tools for Networking on the Internet Social Networking and Your Electronic Footprint Last updated: February 15,

12 5. Additional Resources Still looking for more information? Try looking at the following resources: How to find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Other Social Networks / Brad and Debra Schepp Central Library, Level 4, Science & Business S325h Find a Job Through Social Networking: Use LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and More to Advance your Career / Diane Crompton and Ellen Sautter Central Library, Level 4, Science & Business S26s1 Networking for People who Hate Networking: a Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected / Devora Zack Central Library, Level 4, Science & Business Z16n Networking is a Contact Sport: How Staying Connected and Serving Others Will Help You Grow Your Business, Expand Your Influence or Even Land Your Next Job / Joe Sweeney Central Library, Level 4, Science & Business S97n Resumes, Cover Letters, Networking, and Interviewing / Clifford W. Eischen & Lynn A. Eischen Central Library, Level 4, Science & Business E36r1 Key Career Networking Resources for Job Seekers. Quintessential Careers A selection of recommended career and job-search networking resources available on the Web The Riley Guide: Networking, Interview & Negotiate A collection of articles and advice on networking Questions? Please ask the Information Staff in the Science and Business Division on Level 4, Central Library or telephone Last updated: February 15,