Does your Networking need practice?

Networking tips from JobOppO

Back to normal they say. Is that the old normal or the new normal? But better be quick, before a micro-lockdown changes the situation. In the meantime, are you looking for a job? Are you looking for a new job? Have you heard about networking events but not sure what they are? Are you out of practice?

Networking is a vital part of finding the job - not just a job. It’s a skill that, like all others, takes practice. It might not go right first time, in fact, it might go horribly wrong. It might not feel comfortable or something you want to do too much of – but it’s critical, increasingly so and @JobOppO are keen to help members of our Veterans’ Employment Community improve their own networking capability.

It's been a genuine pleasure to have been the Director of Veteran Engagement and Development at @JobOppO for the last 9 months and as a serial networker I thought it might be helpful to provide a few tips for unemployed, underemployed or transitioning veterans and service leavers;

Remember - there’s no other network quite like it and I’ve never heard of a veteran refusing to help another when it comes to employment advice. There are many available, like our [coming soon!] JobOppO Community app to help you grow a network, so use them.

Here are my 5 tips to networking.

1. Always think about networking in terms of how you can help someone else, rather than how they can help you. Ask them. This is the golden rule!

2. Be ready to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Networking gets easier.

3. Don’t see the job as the goal, think about your network and how you can grow it, farm it, and offer it to others.

4. Always follow up. This can be an email, a LinkedIn connection or even a phone call. It’s the best way to cement the relationship and keep the two-way door open for another conversation. But don’t do it too soon…

5. Have your eyes and ears open. You never know who might see, what you might find out, or what strings you may come across that are worth a pull.

JobOppO are hosting a real-life networking event with (cool beer and canapes) at the Churchill War Rooms on the 28th October. If you are a veteran or a service leaver and would like to practice your networking, please follow the link and register your details. If you would like to meet other veterans and find out a little more about a career in Facilities Management – all the better.

See you there – and #TellYourOppO

JobOppO is a new and dynamic Veterans' Employment Community with an exclusive jobs board at the centre, surrounded by education, insight and opportunity.

Have a look www.joboppo.co.uk