Create your professional network, best practices

One of the most important things you need to do to boost your career, especially if you’ve just graduated or are in your final year, is to network professionally. Many people don’t know how to go about it, but networking isn’t as complicated as it seems.

Even when you start, you are already part of a network made up of your classmates, your teachers and possibly your employers and colleagues during your internship or work-study periods. The next step, then, is to learn  how to expand your network , maintain it, and use it effectively.

But first, what is a professional network?

It is a group of people who have connected with each other for professional or business reasons. Members, known as contacts or connections, can share information, sometimes including job leads. They may also help each other solve work-related problems, recommend new business contacts and provide information about potential employers and clients.

The multiple uses of a professional network

While a professional network can, of course, help you find leads when you’re looking for a job, there are plenty of other ways to advance your career. Here are a few :

#1 When you start a career, it is essential to gather information that can help you better understand the issues and challenges to be met in order to succeed. While there are resources for exploring your options, one of the best ways to learn more about a career is to conduct an informative interview with someone currently working there. You can turn to your network for help in getting people to answer your questions.

#2 If you work in human resources, your contacts can put you in touch with potential candidates who match the needs of the company where you work. Your network can also help you find atypical profiles that are often absent from  job boards  and traditional advertisements. Going after these passive candidates is far from being a waste of time, provided that your contacts are willing to lend a hand.

#3 Are you planning to create your own business but you don’t know where to start due to a lack of visibility? A member of your network who has already taken the plunge may be able to give you advice or put you in touch with someone who can guide and support you. Be careful though: never share your confidential information.

#4 Do you want to apply for a specific position? Research your potential employers to prepare yourself for job interviews. To do this, you can get valuable information by talking to members of your network and their contacts who work in the medium you are targeting.

Who should be in your network?

Be selective, because your network should reflect your identity and personality. Also, your contacts must be handpicked to avoid seeing your reputation tarnished by the dubious and immoral actions of some of your contacts.

Communicate with co-workers you currently work with but stay on good terms with former co-workers. Participate in conferences and introduce yourself to other participants. Feel free to share your business card. Your former professors as well as your former classmates must be part of your professional network.

keep your network alive

You must treat your professional network as a living being, and not only favor the famous Linkedin and for good reason. It may become useless if you neglect it for too long. The last thing you want is to get in touch with a member who doesn’t remember you and miss out on a great opportunity