Jun 10, 2014
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Making a Name for Yourself When You’re Young
So you are young and inexperienced and looking for that dream job. How are you ever going to make a name for yourself and fulfill your career aspirations if you can’t even land a job?
Enter: Networking
Here are three tips that can help the young and inexperienced network like professionals. It’s not always going to be easy or comfortable but get used to doing it for the rest of your career.
Take Full Advantage of Linkedin
And if you are not yet on Linkedin, create an account now. Take the time to connect with people on Linkedin, you never know who will be able to help you in the future.
A year ago I connected with a guest lecturer that I had the privilege to talk with. After connecting on Linkedin he asked me if I had any ideas for what he could title a new book he was writing. Around this same time my dad lost his job. I responded to the man on Linkedin and gave the him some title suggestions and then asked if he could help me connect my dad with people in my dad’s industry. Two days later my dad was sitting in an interview for a new job. I was young and inexperienced but with the help of Linkedin I was able to network like a pro.
Connect with as many people as you can, this network of people will be an invaluable help in helping you get where you want to be.
Attend Networking Events
Get in contact with the people you want. These networking events can take a variety of forms and not limited to career fairs, chamber of commerce events, college alumni programs, college career networking events, job club meetings, and professional industry specific conferences.
Put yourself in contact with people that will help you build and expand your network. When meeting someone for the first time it is usually a good idea not to ask for something unless without offering help in return. You never know what that person is in need of and how you may be able to help.
Follow Up With People
If they have offered to do something for you check up and make sure that they haven’t forgotten you. It makes no sense to go through all of this effort to network if all you are doing is collecting names and phone numbers. Reach out to these people and help them remember who you are. You never know when you are going to need something from people in your network. If you have not maintained those in your network you are going to have a hard time getting where you want.
Because you are young and inexperienced does not mean that you are not capable of networking. You have a lot to offer the world if you just take the time to reach out to the right people.
Mixing one’s wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably. -Bertolt Brecht
If you want to read more about networking check out this old post from our blog.