In many industries, the job market is highly competitive due to the current economic situation. Even though there is a shortage of skilled workers, employers are hesitant to post job openings and hire new employees. A formal application process involving “standard written applications” is often not enough to successfully set yourself apart from the competition. But what if, even before you apply, you’d already been in conversation with the very people who decide who gets hired? After all, most jobs aren’t even advertised publicly: they’re filled through personal connections, as the Institute for Employment Research has consistently found in its annual job survey for years.
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to build targeted professional relationships, even if you’ve been somewhat hesitant about networking so far. You’ll learn how to effectively connect your online and offline contacts—not only to make informed decisions about choosing your desired industry, but also to open new doors for yourself.
Methods:
- Researching desired employers and key contacts
- Getting started with networking via LinkedIn and brief one-on-one conversations (“coffee breaks”)
- Proven and easy-to-follow exercises to help you overcome your fears of networking and feel more confident doing so
- Developing strategies to learn about job openings before they’re officially posted
