Business Best Practices
Networking Part 4: Finding Top Talent Through an Established Network
Nov 8, 2016
If you have been following this networking series, you already know that networking allows you to stay relevant in your industry and active in other industries.
The simple connection of people enables you to:
- Build a cohesive brand image
- Attract top talent
- Increase the size and quality of your audience
- Have an effortless sales pitch while landing sales opportunities
- Tap into new markets and business opportunities
- Build a support system
- Establish an indelible reputation
In business, networking= relevance, no matter if you are a job seeker, a business owner, or a recruiter. Yes, recruiters, even you should be networking. No, you need to be networking! Your job cannot be done efficiently if you are not staying connected. Let me be even more blunt: You will be of no benefit to your company(ies) if you are not networking! No benefit= No job.
Recruiters play similar roles with their counterpart—the job seekers. Resume critiquing, skills set and interest match ups, waiting, interviewing, following up, etc are all tasks that both recruiters and job seekers perform in the hunt. While the perspective may be different, the goal is the same: be/ get the best person for the job. Whether a recruiter or a job seeker, this goal is achieved by being 1) talented 2) relevant 3) connected. If you are the most qualified candidate for the job yet no one knows that or can recommend you, how relevant are you? How likely are you to land the job? Likewise, if you have all the skills to be a successful recruiter yet you have no talent pool and/ or no means to build a talent pool, how likely are to fill the position? As a recruiter, your purpose is dependent on the network or networking skills you build.
In earlier parts of this series, I told you that a social/ business network can be thought of as web; a continuous connection between people with endless interconnections among all those in the web. Further, the web is the idea that “everyone knows somebody that knows something about it.” It is through networking that we all build connections that build connections that build connections that open new doors to new opportunities.
Recruiters, your job is to chase and fulfill new opportunities. Ask yourself how you are accomplishing this. Is the method you are using right now effective? Is it delightfully challenging or is painfully difficult? If your thoughts are leaning more toward the painful side, your network is suffering! I just told you that networking builds connections that builds connections… that opens doors to new opportunities. Filling new job opportunities is your goal, and networking is your direct path. By continuously spinning your web, you are building your relevance/ your purpose/ your job security because you are now streamlining your recruiting process. You are now taking the direct path to “the job is filled,” optimizing your approach, and chasing new opportunities by simply walking through open doors.
If you are tired of looking at the same talent pool, filling and refilling the same job opportunities, and struggling to find a qualified candidate only to replace that candidate down the road when the job “just wasn’t a good fit,” then it is time to start networking. Building your network begins with you. You are the center holding the network together, making the network exist, bringing the network to life.
To kick start your social networking web, building partnerships and attracting top talent follow the rest of our 4 part networking series.
