We often see that people tend to avoid social activities and events in their work field. Because they think that such gatherings are mostly useless. However, this is far from the truth. Even when the even has no goal other than socializing and having fun, it can help you build a larger network and, in the end, allow you to find a much better job.
Building a network is not only useful to find other people who think like you, but it is also critical for gathering referrals that can help you in future job applications. Although you can find many job openings in your field thanks to job listing websites, when it comes to making applications, if you cannot show and referrals, somebody who can do this can get the job before you.
Here we are looking at the importance of building a network and how it helps while making job applications on job search websites.
Getting used to talking with other professionals
Although it is not a direct benefit of a network you build, if you make some effort to meet new people and establish a network for yourself, you will overcome some of the common communication inabilities easier.
Even after making a job application online, in order to get the job, you will need to have an interview face-to-fa with the companies you applied for job openings. During this kind of interviews, most people get overwhelmed by excitement and stress. Which an issue that can be solved by getting used to having conversations with strangers from your work filed regularly. Such work-related conversations also often touch topics that employers may ask you about during the job interview. So building a network itself can prepare you for job interviews, hence getting a better job too.
Learning more about your field and widen your perspective
One of the most known benefits of building a network is to get to know more about your working field. You will hear about more companies, our news, some ideas and tips regarding your job. No matter how experienced you are, you can always learn more and at least can follow the advancements in your field.
Don’t forget that information is the key to success. You can use the information you get from your network while you are looking for new jobs, or when you are making job applications. Not only being up-to-date in the field is the desired feature, but you can also hint some niche things you know and impress the companies you are contacting.
Stronger Self-Confidence
We often see that even on job search websites, people sometimes feel hesitant to apply certain leading companies in their field as they do not feel confident enough to get hired by such companies. This can kill any chance you have for a higher career before even taking any steps towards it.
Perhaps as a result of getting more comfortable with professional conversations and knowing more about your field, as you build your network larger, you also get more confident about yourself. As we mentioned, your efforts to build a network will force you to open yourself more in new places and to new people.
As a result, people get to confirm their existing knowledge and get compliments for their strong sides. People eventually get to gain stronger self-confidence. This can help while talking to possible future employers, requiters, or interviewers.
Wider network, more opportunities
Another clear benefit of building a wider network is to have access to more opportunities, of course. While most people who use job listing websites may think that they do not need other people for finding job openings, even the same job applications they make on such platforms can result quite differently depending on the network they have.
We see the best example of this on platforms like LinkedIn, where your network is literally represented on the platform. Employers see your profile easier if you have people in your network who work in the same company. But this actually applies for almost any platform as you may be able to have referrals from inside. Which usually affect the result of your applications.
In short, having a wider network does not only give you more people to reach when you need help regarding a topic in your work, but it also improves your chances of getting hired by the companies you want to work for. Unlike most people belie, this does not only apply for traditional requirements but also the ones through job search websites. So, regardless of your method of finding new jobs, you should always try to grow your network.
