The Importance of Solid Networking

There are still many “old school” business and workplace habits that you should always adopt, like a firm handshake and not being habitually late for meetings or events. However, we are quickly moving towards a society that is almost exclusively based online, and the importance of networking has never been higher. Building up your social media base and connecting with potential or former work connections is one of the most important steps to finding a good job. Human resources will certainly take a look at all of your associated webpages, so having a professional image is essential. If you focus hard on making new connections and maintaining old ones via social media, it will open the door to new job opportunities and make your job search that much easier. Here are a few points referring to why social media is so important in today’s day and age.

1.)    Cleaning Up Your Profile

The tendency for young adults in high school and college is to take pictures that are unprofessional. You need to make sure that all of your profiles are free of “junk.” This means cleaning out any questionable pictures and making sure all of the information you decide to share is serious. Human resources looks at social media, and will most likely pay a visit to your page during the application process. It’s an easy way to screen candidates for free. The last thing you need during a competitive interview is to have someone see a picture of you in a less than favorable circumstance. This step also involves tweaking your LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is becoming an essential factor in job hunting, and you really don’t have a reason to leave your profile unattended. Add some good info, and continue building up your network. You never know if a solid business connection will help you land an excellent role later in your career. Many potential jobs have been won and lost over social media.

2.)    Business Connections

Having a great set of social media profiles is essential in today’s workforce, because most influential managers have them. It’s an excellent way to stay in contact with old acquaintances and strengthen relationships with new ones. Making more connections is actually easy, and people are usually happy to connect with professionals. If you focus on making your profile excellent and professional as possible, it will open the door to more opportunity later in your career. You never know if one of your social media connections will surface in the workplace, so it’s always best to keep the relationship headed in a positive direction.

3.)    Job Offers

LinkedIn can serve many functions for different people. The average user might look for a few jobs, read through the news feed, or post a few comments in a popular group. However, it’s also a place where recruiters headhunt for new talent. In fact, as many professionals in the finance industry can tell you, recruiters will contact you regularly in an effort to “poach” good talent. Having a good profile will keep these opportunities rolling in. If you already have a good job, there is no need to respond to recruiters, but if you are looking for a better role, your profile could dictate whether or not you are being contacted for these positions. If a better position walks through the door, you have every right to jump on board.

4.)    Personal Brand

When you enter the workforce you become a commodity—something that companies want. Whatever skills you have need to be showcased, and social media is the perfect way to do this. Every job is different, so you should take the time to show what makes you an excellent candidate for new jobs. When you create a profile, think from the perspective of a recruiter and realize what they would want to see. Always cater to the job market and show employers that you have essential skills and knowledge that they need to be successful. Using social media to enhance your personal brand is always an excellent idea, and many people have benefited from this strategy in the past.

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Matthew Welch

Jobdiagnosis blog author Matthew Welch is an SEO strategist and content marketer from Boston, MA. Read blog content relating to job search by Matthew Welch.

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