No network: no job!

Everyone knows networking and agrees on saying that it facilitates contact-making, it allows you to find information and useful tip.

However, do you use it well? Networking is a powerful tool in terms of recruitment and, if used appropriately, it is an asset – but it might also become a nightmare for some people. We all have in mind an example of a student who randomly uploads online a picture or a résumé which is not to their advantage, consequently being seen all around the world and shutting the doors to recruitment. Social networks tend to make the devastating effect of such an episode grow quickly and irreversibly. As a result, networking is a weapon you should learn how to use!

Do not forget that everything is public and that what you write will remain for ever: there is no “delete” key. Build your own e-reputation! How? Watch this video, learn how to use professional networks such as LinkedIn or Viadeo, and understand the position of Facebook and Twitter.

You build your network by meeting and talking to people: the month of April is a month dedicated to associative projects. Take advantage of this and fill up your address book!

All kinds of situations allow you to be spotted by recruiters, to enlarge your knowledge, to ask questions, to have fun… The range of possibilities is large! Every person you meet can bring you something, and some meetings will be more useful than others for your career. How can you grab every chance you can? It is just like an actor who meets a great movie producer, and who is too shy to start a conversation – or who starts the conversation in a bad way because he is being too nervous. No chance he will become tomorrow’s greatest star! The first impression you make is vital, and it only happens once. What can you do about it? Ask yourself the good questions: what can I bring to this person, and what can they bring to me? Keep in mind that, in order to get something, you have to be able to give. Introduce yourself the right way and avoid the basic “who are you and what are you doing?”. 

Do not forget that your network is only useful if you use it !