If I were looking for a new job I would...

An excellent post that can be found at:

http://www.sodexocareersblog.com/2012/04/if-i-were-looking-for-new-job-i-would.html
with tips from Sodexo 's Rachel Stamm, Senior Recruiter—Health Care Facilities Solutions.

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If I were looking for a new job I would...

By Guest Blogger, Rachel Stamm, Senior Recruiter—Health Care Facilities Solutions.

“If I were looking for a new job I would…” the 7th in a series of blog posts that will give you an opportunity to gain insight into the world of job seeking from a recruiter’s perspective.

If I were looking for a job I would … network, network, network.

Don’t underestimate the power of networking! In today’s day and age networking is how people land their next job. It can give you the opportunity to meet potential employers in an informal setting. For example, industry events such as the National Facilities Management and Technology conference & trade show (NFMT) makes a great place to meet other facilities professionals while impressing upon leading employers like Sodexo. 

Now before you obtain your license to network, let’s discuss the rules of the road.

Study

The first step to successful networking is to do your homework and research the company. Know who the top employers in your field are and where to find them.   Learn more about what they do and how you could fit into the organization. More companies are using social media like LinkedIn and Twitter to market their presence at conferences, so search the events or follow them on Twitter.  Some descriptions will even provide a link to speaker bios offering a great way to study up!

Prepare

Be prepared to sell yourself!  Determine what you’d like to highlight and practice a few times beforehand. Your overall goal is to make a good first impression so the employer is eager to learn more about you. Most networking events are not the format to bring a resume, so be prepared with business cards and dress to impress.

Perform

Once you have reached your destination, remember to be yourself, take a deep breath and enjoy the process of meeting new people. Keep your conversations moving at a comfortable pace and avoid seeming too eager or pushy. Monopolizing someone’s time may seem insignificant, but costs you infractions on your networking license and risks your authenticity!   

Follow up

Set a plan for follow up. It is best to follow up as soon as possible, within a day or two. Sending a thank-you note is good form and don’t be afraid to ask for a more formal meeting to discuss your qualifications. You will want your good first impression to linger, so don’t delay in your follow up. 

Now you know the rules of the road and have your license. You are ready to network!