Networking like a pro
Author: Stefan Waldvogel
How can you improve your networking skills?
Networking can be a huge part of your job hunting phase. The following picture shows eight ideas:
How to build your network
Start with people you know:
This is the easiest way to add connections. Later you add friends of these friends if they work in your target job.
If you send a request, do not think about getting a job:
This step is essential. People feel if you want to take advantage of them. The purpose is to build a healthy relationship.
Give a reason:
This has two aspects. If you add a reason, you have something to talk about. Check the profile and find something exciting or similar. It does not have to be job-related. The second reason is, you want to stand out. On LinkedIn, most send a request without a message. A person accepts it or not, and that is it.
Talk to people in the field:
Let us say you want to become a SOC Analyst, and the best way to get reliable insider information is by asking a SOC Analyst. If you are a student and add students, this is fine, but you want to move on.
If you use LinkedIn, create a professional profile:
The profile should have a good picture. It is not a bad idea to spend $10 on a professional portrait. Craft your profile carefully and avoid politics and religion.
Never beg for a job:
The reason is, this does not work, and it looks terrible. You want to show confidence.
Be visible:
Find your way to create visibility. You can have 20 certs, and you cannot find a job? Even if you feel you do not know enough, change your focus. At this level, you have the knowledge, but people do not know you.
Go to events, classes, and conferences:
Here, you can do networking, and you have the right audience. Personal contact is one of the best ways to stand out. People do not want to hire foreigners.
This is the easiest way to add connections. Later you add friends of these friends if they work in your target job.
If you send a request, do not think about getting a job:
This step is essential. People feel if you want to take advantage of them. The purpose is to build a healthy relationship.
Give a reason:
This has two aspects. If you add a reason, you have something to talk about. Check the profile and find something exciting or similar. It does not have to be job-related. The second reason is, you want to stand out. On LinkedIn, most send a request without a message. A person accepts it or not, and that is it.
Talk to people in the field:
Let us say you want to become a SOC Analyst, and the best way to get reliable insider information is by asking a SOC Analyst. If you are a student and add students, this is fine, but you want to move on.
If you use LinkedIn, create a professional profile:
The profile should have a good picture. It is not a bad idea to spend $10 on a professional portrait. Craft your profile carefully and avoid politics and religion.
Never beg for a job:
The reason is, this does not work, and it looks terrible. You want to show confidence.
Be visible:
Find your way to create visibility. You can have 20 certs, and you cannot find a job? Even if you feel you do not know enough, change your focus. At this level, you have the knowledge, but people do not know you.
Go to events, classes, and conferences:
Here, you can do networking, and you have the right audience. Personal contact is one of the best ways to stand out. People do not want to hire foreigners.
© 2021. This work is licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license