Networking: How to Find Jobs in the 21st Century

Some soldiers in my previous unit kept sending me requests to be a connection on LinkedIn?.  I thought LinkedIn? was just another social media application so I ignored it.  In the research mentioned in my previous article, I came across an article about how LinkedIn? has helped veterans find jobs.  I setup a basic profile, joined the Veteran Mentor Network, read many articles about the do’s and don’ts about LinkedIn? profiles.  I have made multiple revisions to my profile, and it became the basis for my résumé.  Like résumé advice, there is conflicting information about LinkedIn? profiles.  In those conflicting cases, I go with the one that feels most like me, and what I want to convey.  I am hopeful this pays off in the future, I will be sure to let you know.  There are many posts on LinkedIn? about how to expand your professional network by developing meaningful connections (opposed to empty ones).

In my research I came across an organization called Young Professionals Connection, sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.  Their calendar listed a new member meeting at a bar/restaurant downtown.  I am an introvert in social situations, but this was important so I put my best foot forward, a smile on my face and an inviting handshake with everyone I met that night.  I left feeling great.  Since then I have attended a committee meeting and a social dinner.  I see great things coming in the future.

I started to make a list of companies where I may be interested in working.  I didn't know the definition of the term “externship” although I had heard it before.  I researched the difference between externship and internship.  Externships are shorter in duration than internships, not necessarily paid, and more resemble job shadowing.  This may be a great way to become more familiar with civilian business operations, and open a door to a future career.  I have contacted two companies about starting externship opportunities.  I will let you know how it goes.

I started searching various online calendars of community organizations and chambers of commerce.  I found events such as job fairs, structured networking events, community/neighborhood association meetings, and other young professional organization events.

Job fairs, even entry-level ones, may be great events to learn more about the company and meet people.  There is a difference between a joint job fair and a company job fair.  Joint job fairs involve recruiters from multiple companies setting up tables.  Company job fairs may be organized and hosted by a recruiter but are attended by current supervisors and employees to mingle with job seekers to discuss their experience at the company.  I attended a company job fair last week.  I will be writing about my experience at that job fair in a future article.

One of the events I found on those community calendars is a structured networking event, called speed networking.  The event description recommended bringing business cards to exchange with each person you meet.  This sparked an idea.  I designed and ordered business cards to hand out during my transition.  I put my name where the company name usually goes, included the headline from my LinkedIn? profile, my LinkedIn? URL, email address, and phone number.  My hope is this shows I am a professional, even in transition, and will continue being a professional in my next career.

I hope you found this article helpful and look for my future articles. My next article will discuss my first job fair, not just my personal experience but also my observation of others attending the job fair.