Job search and networking

Part of networking includes attending employer events. From career fairs to networking panels, there is a place for you to find your next opportunity. Find out what event is happening next on the Career Center Events page (coming soon).

Professional associations or groups are outstanding sources of new networking contacts. These are groups of people in your field who come together regularly for professional development activities, networking and sharing information.

You can join an industry-specific group (example: a Human Resources student joining the Minnesota Society for Human Resource Management), or a more general group with people from a variety of professional backgrounds (example: Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce). These organizations are often looking for student members, and you can usually join for a discounted student rate or even at no cost.

There are professional organizations for every industry. Find your fit with the Professional Association Finder or a student group through Engage.

Amy Lindgren’s article can be used as a strategy. Once you find your professional organization or association of choice, volunteer to help organize a conference or meeting, join the board, or serve on a planning committee. This is a really hands-on way to gain recognition, demonstrate your dedication to the field, showcase your skills, and work closely with other involved members. Working on a task or project together will feel like a natural way to interact, and will give you a chance to get to know each other in the process.

Professional associations are good places to invest both your time and your money during a job search, but not everyone has had experience with them.

What are they? I use the term “professional association” to describe groups that organize themselves around a particular profession or trade. I also include certain types of user groups, because aficionados of specific software or tools often share professional tips while discussing common interests. Even groups for hobbyists – think quilting or gardening – can take on professional aspects for people whose work lives touch on the topic.

What do they offer? The groups vary widely in their offerings. Some are very sophisticated operations with dozens of staff members and numerous conferences throughout the nation. These large associations may employ lobbyists, publicists and others to represent the industry, while also providing services to members, such as journals, certifications and webinars. On the other end of the spectrum are mom-and-pop shops with a volunteer board and simple monthly meetings with unpaid speakers.

Small vs. large. You might expect the best job search prospects from the larger groups. I’m not so sure about that. On the one hand, the large associations have more members and such perks as online job listings; on the other hand, their meetings can be too large to afford good networking. The smaller groups sometimes build stronger bonds among their members, even though there are fewer of them. Regardless of the group you favor, I recommend joining at least one and attending the meetings regularly, while also sampling other groups. This will provide you with a “home base” as well as some diversity, in case one group becomes a bit in-grown in its approach and membership.

Cost. You could argue that membership is too expensive for a person who isn’t working and you’d have my agreement there. Some associations do seem to price themselves out of the market. They redeem themselves somewhat when they offer discounts for students and the unemployed, but those that don’t really make me wonder. Just what is their membership development plan? In any case, if you can’t afford the membership, you have several options. You can request a discount or scholarship, ask to earn your membership by volunteering for the organization, or ask to attend on a per-meeting basis. You might also be able to attend as someone else’s guest.

Make a plan. However you gain entrance to the meeting, the effort will be wasted if you don’t have a plan. In job search, each activity needs to be purposeful, as your time and your money are limited. As a rule, job seekers attend meetings for these purposes: To learn more about the profession and current practices; to meet others in the field and learn about their companies; and to become known to others as someone who might be available for work. One thing I advise job seekers not to expect are actual job leads. As a pleasant surprise, you might hear of current openings. But if that is your measure of the meeting’s success, you will mostly be disappointed.

What to say. These meetings are not the place to hand off your resume or practice your elevator speech. That type of me-centered approach will push others away, rather than attract them. The trick is to let your job interests be known without dominating the conversation. If this sounds a bit indirect, consider this: Networking for work can be compared to asking for a loan. The best time for both is when you don’t actually need what you’re asking for. Of course, that’s not very helpful when you’re currently unemployed and under-networked. Not to worry – you will catch up on your networking as soon as you begin attending some of these sessions. Once there, just focus your attention on others as much as possible, with the goal of setting later meetings for coffee with those who might be open to further conversation.

Finding groups. To find these groups, check your newspaper’s business listings for local meetings; use an online search engine with your industry name and city in the search request; ask your reference librarian for tips; or ask others in your field. LinkedIn and online chat groups can also be mined for this information. Once you get started, I think you’ll be amazed at the number of groups and meetings available to you.

Happy hunting!

Amy Lindgren is a nationally-syndicated employment columnist and the founder and president of Prototype Career Service, a Saint Paul-based firm specializing in career transitions and job search strategies.

www.prototypecareerservice.com | 800.368.3197 | Saint Paul, Minnesota