Ever heard the expression "It's all about who you know?" Well, there's some truth in it, and that's why it's essential to network.
In fact, studies show that more than 70 percent of jobs are filled via networking. That's why being in regular contact with colleagues and continually meeting new ones can not only expose you to useful information about trends in your industry, it might even be how you hear about opportunities before they are posted. Networking also builds relationships with your professional associates, which can be beneficial over the span of your career.
But these days, people are inundated with requests to connect. So, here are our tips for ensuring you stand out (in a good way!) when interacting with colleagues and potential employers online.
Craft Your story
You want to make it easy for colleagues and potential connections to figure out what you're all about and why they should connect with you. Do that by making sure your online profiles clearly tell the story of your career history and current goals. "Figure out what the narrative thread of your career is," recommends Katie Fogarty, a career strategist and the founder of the NY-based Reboot Group.
Even if the positions you've held have been diverse, there are probably connections you can make between them to help explain what you've done and how they've shaped you, explains Fogarty. And that makes it easier for professional peers to understand why you might be reaching out to them, and what value you might add to their network.
Read the rest of this article by Audrey Brashich over on My Perfect Resume
