By Caitlin Sahm
Networking. Did reading that word strike fear into your heart? You’re not alone. Whether because of shyness, uncertainty, or a feeling that making contacts to advance a career is somehow “fake,” many recent graduates are afraid to use networking as job hunting tool.
Even if networking feels about as natural as breathing underwater, with many jobs advertised by word of mouth and positions filled before they’re ever posted, you can’t afford to cut it out of your job search. Fortunately, there are ways to make networking less awkward for even the most inexperienced of social strategists.
Networking should be supportive, not scary!
Change the way you think about networking. A lot of new graduates picture networking as a slick, corporate affair where you tolerate people you have no interest in because you’re hoping that they’ll be able to help you down the line. That’s not what » Read more: Networking: Post-Grad Guide
Various polling methods report 60% to 70% of jobs are found through networking. Thank goodness it doesn’t necessarily mean going to a networking event; but it does mean to tap into your already established network.
