How did I get my first job? Connections. A referral, actually.
First job. I got one person working in the marketing department, she helped me.
Through a connection. My dad worked for the bank so definitely networking
and recommendation. Through referrals.
I think I knew someone. I knew someone, they gave me a reference.
Networking. I think these days that's the only way you get a job. If you don't know
somebody that's in, you're out.
Dayna: Networking is the most important thing
when you're looking for a job because you could apply to 1,000 jobs online, and no one
will call you, or they might not call you. If you want to find a job, you're a heck of
a lot more likely to get one if you're out there networking.
Lauren: I always believe that in networking you're able to build your personal brand and
stand out amongst all those resumes. You're able to put a face to your brand. You're able
to put a style, a motivation, a personality. I believe that's critical.
Christine: Networking, like building your personal brand, is something that you need
to always be doing and always trying to contribute in a positive way.
Dayna: There's so many choices out there that if you have contacts, and people are willing
to vouch for you, that relationship is going to go a long way for you.
When I graduated from university, I sent maybe about 3,000 applications and resumes. My first
job, looking back, I went to an agency, and they hooked it up right there. Right now 4
or 5 years later, I found out that putting a network would be a lot easier because I
was one of those people that thought I could do everything on my own, but it doesn't really work out.
Lauren: For me, the dos are do smile, do open
yourself up to people that are around you. You never know who's standing in front of
you, not only at a networking event but at a coffee shop, in a passport office. Do make
sure that you have eye contact with people, that you shake their hand. The most important
do for me would be short and concise and make sure that in a few moments you can get your
message, your personal brand across to the individual that you are talking to and that
you can leave with the same information about the other person.
Christine: People won't remember what you said, but they'll remember how you made them feel.
Dayna: What you don't want to do is be picky
and choosy about what you're getting from that person. Whatever they're willing to offer
in terms of time, in terms of contacts, take them. Take them and run with them and try
to meet new people and get out there and make the most of it.
Lauren: Once you have made that introduction, and you have that contact, you're then able
to go back, call, email, follow up, close the loop especially by adding them to your
LinkedIn network.
I think it was through Facebook, an ad through
Facebook. LinkedIn.
My professional life, I had to network first. I just randomly went on LinkedIn. I knew what
I wanted, and then I just went up to someone and said, "Hey, can you help me?" Then they
networked and found me somebody and in 2 weeks, I had a job.
Dayna: It's really different now. You have to manage your online brand as well, and you
have to get out there and try to make contacts especially through LinkedIn from a professional
perspective and connect with one person who might connect you with another and another.
You really have to manage what that profile looks like online.
Christine: Your personal brand always being either built up or taken down on social, so
you need to be aware that everything you put out there, assume it's out there on a billboard
and available for your grandmother or the person you respect most to see.
Lauren: I don't think it'll ever replace, and I don't think that there will ever be
a stronger connection than the physical connection, the handshake, the eye contact. Those things
are obviously missing, but it certainly is fast moving and fast growing and certainly
taking over a large spectrum of the networking space.