Networking Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong

Networking Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong Networking Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong 10Networking. It’s one of the least favorite parts of the job search process, but (sigh) it also happens to be one of the most important, too. And if you’ve been on the hunt for a while without any luck, it may have something to do with your networking skills- or lack thereof. If you’re clueless on what proper networking entails, you can use our handy networking checklist to see where are you going wrong- once and for all. If you can honestly answer “yes” to most (or all!) of the answers below, you’re doing the right things and should keep at it. If most of your answers are “no” or “not really” or “kind of,” it’s time to double-down on your job search, invest more time and energy into the networking process, and concentrate on any areas where you didn’t answer a resounding “yes!” For many of these checkpoints, we’ve got articles to help you put right what’s wrong. If you see a hyperlink on a point that you haven’t checked, be sure to read the article it links to for top networking tips that will help to improve that part of your job search. Networking Checklist: Networking Checklist: Are you prepared to network? ____Have you created social media profiles on the following sites: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, etc? ____If you already have social media profiles, are they as professional as they can be? ____Do you have a professional business outfit? ____Do you have a refreshed resume printed out on professional paper? ____Do you have business cards? ____Do you have a winning elevator pitch? ____Do you have a career mentor or other career guidance counselor to help guide you? ____Do you know what you have to offer over other job candidates? Networking Checklist: Are you actively networking? _____Are you reaching out to key industry players via social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and more? _____Do you attend networking events, both in person and also online? _____Do you reach out to companies to connect with prospective bosses? _____Have you reached out to friends and family to help you in your job search? _____At a networking event, do you walk around the room, getting to know various hiring managers? _____When you are networking, do you try to connect with fellow job seekers? _____Have you joined job search groups on LinkedIn? _____Do you actively communicate on social media with companies you’re interested in? _____Do you have a daily or weekly goal of the number of connections you’d like to make? _____Have you reached out to your alumni association or another professional association? Networking Checklist: What do you do when you’ve already established a connection? _____Do you follow up with a prospective connection with a phone call? _____Do you email a potential boss after a meeting? _____If there are no job opportunities available, do you ask if the person can connect you to another potential hiring manager? _____Do you offer to have an in-person lunch date with a prospective connection after meeting? _____Do you try to continue the connection, either by sending interesting news items related to your industry or by sharing your own knowledge? _____Do you thank those (such as friends and family) who have helped create new connections for you? Its a chore to network when you hate networking. If you learn to see all the value that you can add to a company, you’ll feel more confident as you navigate through the networking process. You’ll discover that the benefits of networking can lead you not only to a job, but contacts (and possible friendships) that can last you throughout your career. Readers, do you have a hard time networking? What else would you add to our networking checklist? Let us know in the comments section below!