Networking conversations is your chance to provide a clear message about your expertise, a few stories and the impacts you've made. When others know what you do really well and your description is
memorable and repeatable, they will refer you.
That means, every networking conversation is an opportunity
to:
Practice communication
Deliver a clear message about your expertise and value
Tell a few relatable stories that make your impact stand out
Ask for referrals or introductions
Uncover unadvertised jobs
How you navigate that 2-way communication is where the practice comes in, but I guarantee you, the more you practice how you answer questions and pay attention to what was a great statement vs. a flop, the better you'll do at interviews.
3 Career Strategy Paths...
Applying Online has a LOW Success Rate ---2%.
Just applying online is a lousy way to spend your career search time:
75% of online applications get rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and 50% don't even meet the job requirements.
If all you're doing is applying, you have to be okay with the repetition of changing your resume to fit the role and applying to many, which is why it's called "spray and pray". There is no growth and it's unsustainable.
With nominal professional development in this process, you're in a subservient position for the entire journey. Applying vs. using your network is a lot of work and risky use of your time. Also, results are low yet the competition is high. Instead, make it a small percentage of your effort.
Networking has a 70% Success .Rate!
70% of people got their current job through networking
Referrals are 4X more likely to be offered a job than website applicants
7% of applications are referrals,--- 40% of the hires
As you build your network and develop your strategic communication skills, you'll get referrals and introductions to professionals with hiring authority and hiring managers prefer to hire candidates that are referred.
Find Hidden Jobs---it's Success Rate is 85%
80 percent of new jobs are
never listed but and are filled internally or via networking
If you have a strong network and they know what you do well, you'll attract opportunities.
