Landing a job is often all about connections.
Networking is always your number one priority when job seeking, but growing and cultivating your network is a lifelong commitment that each graduate needs to make.
I have a networking success story to share with you. For those who don’t know me, let me preface this first by saying that in new situations and among strangers I am painfully shy. That being said, when it’s called for I draw on all the extraversion I have within me to network with strangers.
All students in the corporate communication & public relations program at Fanshawe College were invited to an IABC event last September to meet people in the communications industry. As part of our education we also had a networking assignment, to meet at least two people in the communications field and be able to write a little bit of each of their stories.
I have always taken my school work seriously, and thanks to my own winding career path have a curiosity about other people’s paths. I spoke with several industry professionals that evening, but one connection stood out amongst them. I met Julie Maltby, Communications, Marketing & External Relations Officer at Brescia University College. We talked for about 15 minutes, she may have felt like I was interviewing her since I was peppering her with questions, but her career path was interesting to me.
Twenty minutes later, I was speaking to my program coordinator and she was congratulating me on securing a placement at Brescia University College. Apparently after we spoke, Maltby went to the program coordinator and told her that she wanted me for the placement term starting in January. Those 15 minutes of networking were the best investment of my time I could have made.
You never know who you might meet. Always be prepared, have business cards with you and your 60 second self-info-mercial on the tip of your tongue.
For more on networking read the article in the Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/work/attention-new-grads-the-recession-is-old-news-its-time-to-score-a-job/article1539809/
