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Health & Fitness

Find a Job Friday: Turning your virtual network into a tangible support system

The moment you find yourself needing to look for employment shouldn't be the same moment you realize you should have been fostering some professional relationships.

You may have heard the phrase “network before you need work” and I couldn’t agree more. The moment you find yourself needing to look for employment shouldn’t be the same moment you realize you should have been fostering some professional relationships.

Your social networks are a natural place to turn when you want to connect with others, but it’s important to convert your virtual contacts into real-life supporters that you can call on when you need them. It’s about being strategic, but also sincere; no one wants to feel like they’re being used simply for a recommendation, so lay the groundwork for a professional relationship early – with a focus on relationship.

Try these approaches:

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  1. Reconnect over coffee.
    Yeah, it can be as simple as that. Reach out to an old friend or former coworker on Facebook and invite them for a cup of joe and some conversation. Catch up, and figure out how you might be able to mutually support each other professionally. Go ahead and meet a few times; you may even choose to make it a regular date on your calendars.

  • Ask a LinkedIn connection to introduce you to a third party contact.
    Chances are one of your contacts on LinkedIn knows someone you’re itching to connect with. Why not ask for an introduction? Meet up with the third party contact by yourself, or plan a get together with the person who helped you make the connection and use that person you have in common as a catalyst for conversation.

  • Branch out to the unexpected.
    On Twitter? I bet you’re following someone local that you find interesting, informative, humorous or inspiring. Be bold and ask if they’d be willing to meet up with you in person. You never know what sort of doors might open up for you by letting them get to know you outside of 140 characters.
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    I’d love to know, how have you used networking to fuel a job search?
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