New Year’s Revolutions: How to Network Smarter
Job hunting is challenging enough. In today’s job market, standing out takes more than just sending out your CVs. It’s an old recruitment ‘truism’ that a large number of job roles aren’t advertised, and that it’s actually the human connection that can clinch a deal. How many of you reading this feel like you can cliche a deal when you’re face-to-face and in the room?
Connecting and networking with recruiters and professionals is a key way to find opportunities, but there are a few essentials that you should know, to approach networking in the right way.
Be Brave!
Networking can feel daunting, but bravery and confidence are your greatest assets. Remember, the people you’re reaching out to were once in your position, too—they understand the challenges of building connections.
Approach conversations with a mindset of mutual respect and curiosity. Confidence doesn’t mean knowing all the answers; it’s about being open, prepared, and willing to learn.
Be brave enough to introduce yourself, ask thoughtful questions, and share your goals—you never know where one conversation might lead.
Spring clean your LinkedIn profile
An up-to-date LinkedIn profile is the modern key to successful networking. In the absence of a personal website or portfolio page, it’s often the first impression people will have of you, so make it count.
Simple steps include ensuring your photo is of decent quality, your headline reflects your current goals, and your experience and skills are clearly outlined.
Adding a short, engaging summary about what you bring to the table can make all the difference. A polished profile not only boosts your confidence when connecting with others but also shows potential contacts that you’re serious, prepared, and ready to take on new opportunities.
Understand your audience: Recruiters
Recruiters are busy people. Their main job is to fill specific roles for their employer, which means they focus on particular teams or areas of expertise. On top of that, they often receive countless messages from job seekers every day—many of which are vague or irrelevant to the roles they’re recruiting for.
The sad truth is, recruiters aren’t personal career coaches. They don’t have visibility into every role within their company, and their priority is always the jobs they’ve been assigned to fill.
If you want a recruiter to help you, it’s crucial to be clear, professional, and respectful of their time. Here are some practical tips:
Do Your Research
Before reaching out, look at the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile or any information they’ve shared online. This will give you an idea of the types of roles they recruit for. For example, if they specialise in IT roles but you’re looking for a marketing position, they’re probably not the right person to contact.
A better message: “I noticed you’ve worked on IT roles in the past. Do you know if someone in your company is recruiting for a marketing position?”
Be Specific
If you’ve already applied for a role, provide the job title or a link to the posting. This gives the recruiter context and makes it easier for them to help.
Example: “I’ve applied for the Data Analyst position at [Company]. Would you mind reviewing my application to see if it’s a good match?”
Ask for Introductions
If you’re looking to connect with someone specific in a company, ask politely for a referral. Include enough information to make it easy for the recruiter to respond.
Fill your calendar with events
Recruiters are often on the road, at various events around the country. Check dedicated job portals and websites for careers events listings – there’s tonnes of them! Websites like Indeed, Totaljobs, Reed, and Eventbrite often feature job fairs and career events in your area, and many of them let you set up alerts or notifications for anything upcoming.
Visit the websites of local councils in your area, like Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Wolverhampton City Council, etc. They often host or promote job fairs and employment events happening in the region.
Universities and colleges in the West Midlands often organise career fairs and networking events. Check the websites of institutions like the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Coventry University, etc., for event listings. Even if you are not a student, these events are often open to the public.
Be Consistent but Respectful
Relationships take time to cultivate – and you need to stay in contact with your new network. Keep posting, and keep writing on your professional social media networks. But find your balance, and don’t be a spammer!
Recruiters are often juggling multiple roles and candidates, so it’s important to respect their time. Don’t ask for long conversations or vague advice, look for resources they’ve already shared. Many recruiters publish tips, write blog posts, or participate in online forums to support job seekers.
Final Thoughts
Getting out of your comfort zone, and in front of people, face-to-face is key to getting the opportunities you want, and access to the career you’re dreaming of. It takes a little courage, and a splash of organisation – but once you get started and find your momentum, you’ll wonder how you ever did a job search without networking.
Networking is about building connections, not making demands. Thoughtfulness, professionalism and creativity will massively improve your chances of success.
