‘Networking’ is a prevalent practice in the professional sphere, known as the process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop different contacts. Without knowing, you probably network daily when you meet new people or socialise with friends! We understand that putting yourself out there can be daunting, but building a professional network can offer various benefits for your career – here’s a handful of our favourites.
For some, career success is attributed to the pool of information gained through life and experiences. It can be tough to grasp the depth of your understanding without speaking and listening to like-minded people, but this is exactly what your network can offer!
Your network will provide you with a platform to trade ideas and develop professionally as an individual. If you’re stuck on a problem for an extended period and all your research opportunities have been exhausted, your network is on hand to help. Whether it’s offering updated information or alternative ideas, your network can provide expert support and help you get that all-important breakthrough.
As you interact with your network, you will stand out for your unique capabilities and skills, which may lead to future career opportunities. According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, so it’s vital if you’re on the job hunt to get out there! Opportunities can vary, from meeting potential clients to impressing like-minded people, so it’s important to utilise this avenue.
Your network can also help you better understand yourself and your career path. Perhaps there is an opportunity you weren’t aware of or a skill set you are not effectively utilising? Regular communication with your network can keep you updated with these opportunities and help you unlock your true potential!
It all sounds very exciting (and trust us, it is!), but it’s also important to not lose sight of your end goal. Ensure the opportunities presented are right for you and don’t forget to explore alternative vacancies before making any final decisions.
Of course, the primary purpose of professional networking is to develop and nurture professional relationships; however, think of all the friends you have made in different career roles throughout your life so far!
We’re not saying to treat your network like a dating site or a method to gain new friends,but some of the strongest and most long-standing relationships* and friendships develop from these professional settings. Your networking contacts are likely to be people with similar careers and goals to yourself, so it’s not unheard of that your professional network spills over into your personal life.
Enjoying your career and the role you are working in is essential, so surrounding yourself with these people shouldn’t be a corporate or tedious process. Achieving this balance of professionalism is crucial to ensuring you are enjoying your career.
A great tip is to begin networking in your workplace and utilise your co-workers’ contacts to build a larger network. If your current workplace isn’t cutting it, you’ve come to the right place! Take a look at our current vacancies, or get in touch with our team of experts to find your perfect role.
Successful and effective recruitment means a lot more than simply hiring the most skilled person for the role advertised. Aside from an outlined skillset (which is still definitely to consider), the candidate appointed for a role must cover multiple bases. The recruitment process not only has a financial impact on a business but it can damage internal relationships and result in current employees becoming unhappy at work. The overall importance of successful recruitment will be further discussed throughout this blog.
Let’s start with a leading factor which most organisations will consider a priority when recruiting; the skills of the employee. This should always be considered, don’t worry! If there is an experienced, educated and uniquely skilled employee on offer then they are likely to find themselves near the top of any recruiter’s list, as they should. However, what we are saying is that ability should never be the only factor considered. This skilled individual may be skilled in different industries or have limited applicable abilities to the role on offer. It is also important to consider the harmony of your current workforce. Will the new employee disturb the current workplace balance? Although we are not advocating for socialisation to dominate the workplace, we are stating that strong relationships are key aspects to achieving synergy.
Losing staff is never a pleasant subject matter. With employers losing 25% of all new talent within the first year, finding an effective fit the first time is tricky by can be worth the hassle in the long term. In terms of your business, replacing staff can be costly and often requires dedicated time to allow for appropriate training for the role. For your employees, losing a valuable member of their team can put a strain on their role if mismanaged, allowing the cycle to present itself again. By understanding candidate skill sets and how they may best integrate into your company, you can assess whether your values are aligned and establish a mutual value offering.
Your staff act as ambassadors for your business, so demonstrating a positive company culture will not only create a happy environment – but it helps recruit exciting future talent through positive perception! Value propositions are a large part of recruitment – what can you offer employees in exchange for their service? Whether it’s tangible benefits or a supportive team structure, it’s vital you demonstrate these components when going through the recruitment process. Having a well-established recruitment and onboarding process not only makes things easier for both parties involved but allows even unsuccessful candidates to leave with a positive interpretation of your organisation.
As previously discussed, ensuring staff are a good fit in your current company structure will decrease the amount of disruption experienced by your business. It can be incredibly difficult to understand this in the early stages, so hiring a recruitment expert can help extract this information for your assessment. Overall, it is recommended to consider an employee who covers all bases and is balanced in their abilities overtaking just the most experienced or skilled every time. Remember – you can train skills and gain experience, relationships and social skills are natural!
« Previous Page