finding opportunities for career development

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leadership adders: STEPS TO A GREAT CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK networking: finding opportunities for career development The definition of networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2012). Today, as social workers explore career possibilities, decide on career directions, or undertake job searches, they need to consider professional networks and contacts as a natural part of the process. The cultivation of relationships, over time, is seen as an important role in networking and one through which social workers can gain knowledge about career options, opportunities, and jobs. Interestingly, collecting information through conversations with people can occur at unpredictable times, such as on the subway, on a flight, at the grocery store, and at social functions. Maintaining and sustaining networks can be crucial to career advancement, because professional connections provide mutual benefits as well as being vital resources. Consider: “70-80% of job seekers find their jobs through contacts. As few as 20% land their jobs through the traditional “reactive” job search method, namely, applying for posted positions on job boards or want ads” (Simmons,2012). “Nearly 80% of available jobs are never advertised. The more contacts you make, the more likely you are to tap into these hidden opportunities” (Simmons, 2012). » HOW TO IDENTIFY NETWORKS: A network can include social and professional organization contacts, former and current colleagues/ supervisors, college faculty advisors, and teachers. Natural networks, such as family, friends and neighbors are also important and can often be overlooked. There are many people with resources within a professional or personal network who can assist in exploring career options or finding a job. JULY 2012 “Networking is consistently identified as the number one way to find a new job” (Riley, 2012). NASW National Association of Social Workers 750 First Street NE, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20002-4241

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Page 1: finding opportunities for career development

leadership adders:STEPS TO A GREAT CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK

networking:finding opportunities forcareer development

The definition of networking is “the exchangeof information or services among individuals,groups, or institutions; specifically: thecultivation of productive relationships foremployment or business” (Merriam-WebsterDictionary, 2012).

Today, as social workers explore careerpossibilities, decide on career directions,or undertake job searches, they need toconsider professional networks and contactsas a natural part of the process. Thecultivation of relationships, over time, is seenas an important role in networking and onethrough which social workers can gainknowledge about career options,opportunities, and jobs. Interestingly,collecting information through conversationswith people can occur at unpredictabletimes, such as on the subway, on a flight, atthe grocery store, and at social functions.Maintaining and sustaining networks canbe crucial to career advancement, becauseprofessional connections provide mutualbenefits as well as being vital resources.

Consider:› “70-80% of job seekers find their jobs

through contacts. As few as 20%land their jobs through the traditional“reactive” job search method, namely,applying for posted positions on jobboards or want ads” (Simmons,2012).

› “Nearly 80% of available jobs arenever advertised. The more contactsyou make, the more likely you are totap into these hidden opportunities”(Simmons, 2012).

» HOW TO IDENTIFY NETWORKS:A network can include social andprofessional organization contacts,former and current colleagues/supervisors, college faculty advisors, andteachers. Natural networks, such asfamily, friends and neighbors are alsoimportant and can often be overlooked.There are many people with resourceswithin a professional or personalnetwork who can assist in exploringcareer options or finding a job.

JULY 2012

“Networking is consistently identified as the number one way to find anew job” (Riley, 2012).

NASW

National Association of Social Workers750 First Street NE, Suite 700Washington, DC 20002-4241

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Page 2: finding opportunities for career development

REFERENCESCornell University, Cornell Career Services(2012), Informational Interviewing.Retrieved from:www.career.cornell.edu/students/options/networking/interviewing.cfm

Jobvite, (2012). 2011Social recruitingsurvey results. Retrieved from:http://recruiting.jobvite.com/resources/social-recruiting-survey.php

Merriam Webster Dictionary (2012),Networking. Retrieved from:www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/networking

Riley Guide (March 2012), Nenhance you job search. Retriewww.rileyguide.com/network.

Simmons College Career Educ(2012), Optimize your networRetrieved from: www.simmons.alums/toolkit/networking.php

Remember, everyone and anyone can bea potential network contact.

Using various modes of networkingoutlets, such as job fairs, alumnaeevents/sites, community events, local jobsearch groups, and social media, canincrease visibility, and connect people forprofessional networking and recruitment.

» INTRODUCING YOURSELF FOR CAREERDEVELOPMENT AND JOB SEEKINGConsider identifying contacts within acircle of friends, colleagues, acquaintances,employers, and professionals who mayhave information or know of someonewho may have connections to an area ofinterest. Before contacting people,prepare a concise introduction that statesyour areas of interest and objectives.Seek advice about your introduction froma few people in the field who are familiarwith you and your job search. Seekingadvice is a crucial component ofnetworking and can provide a betterunderstanding of the job market, help todevise methods to get a job, andultimately lead to finding a job.

» USING NETWORKING TO GET ADVICE,INFORMATION AND REFERRALS:One of the most valuable networkingtools is the informational interview. Theinformational interview can be beneficialbecause it is an opportunity to learnabout career choices, employers, oraspects of a particular job. It is anopportunity to have exploratoryconversation with people in the socialwork profession network “who can givecareer advice and introduce you to otherswho can help you define your goals”(Cornell, 2012). It is important to beclear about the purpose and goals ofinformational interviewing. A. Thisinterview is a 15 to 30 minutes meeting,with an individual, and is an opportunityto obtain specific information, careeradvice and referrals. The informationinterview is not a job interview, but ratheris intended to expand professionalcontacts that may be helpful at a latertime. Remember, as the initiator of this

meeting, there is planning that needs totake into consideration: identifyingcontacts, arranging the meeting,recognizing time constraints, preparingcontent for an agenda, preparing fordialogue, and follow up.

As a networking tool, the informationalinterview is one component to successfuljob finding and career development thatrequires special attention to follow upactivities. Write a thank you note thatidentifies helpful suggestions obtainedfrom the discussion. Follow up with theoriginal contact if they have referred you toanother person, and take time to reflect onwhat was learned, what information is stillneeded, and to develop a plan of action.

» USING SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKINGTO INCREASE VISIBILITY AND REACH:Social media is one of the fastestgrowing areas for finding a job andmaking contacts. In a recent 2011 surveyby the leading recruiting platform, JobviteSurvey, reveals that 89 percent of U.S.companies plan to use social media forrecruiting (Jobvite, 2012). One of thesocial media online professionalnetworks, LinkedIn promotes connectionsto people for professional networking andrecruitment. Even though there are otherweb sites such as Facebook andMySpace, LinkedIn caters to business andprofessional encounters. Primarily,LinkedIn is where people can developcontacts with others who have similarcareer interests.

The benefits of networking arelong-lasting and continuous throughoutone’s social work career. Whetherthrough social media outlets or face toface meetings, networking providesopportunities to talk with people,exchange ideas, and gain knowledgeabout career options, opportunities andjobs. Subsequently, in building andmaintaining these professional contacts,social workers will be developing areciprocal relationship where keyresources will be continuously availablefor future career networking.

In building andmaintainingtheseprofessionalcontacts, socialworkers will bedeveloping areciprocalrelationshipwhere keyresources willbe continuouslyavailable forfuture careernetworking.

©2012 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reser

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REFERENCESCornell University, Cornell Career Services(2012), Informational Interviewing.Retrieved from:www.career.cornell.edu/students/options/networking/interviewing.cfm

Jobvite, (2012). 2011Social recruitingsurvey results. Retrieved from:http://recruiting.jobvite.com/resources/social-recruiting-survey.php

Merriam Webster Dictionary (2012),Networking. Retrieved from:www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/networking

Riley Guide (March 2012), Networking toenhance you job search. Retrieved from:www.rileyguide.com/network.html

Simmons College Career Education Center(2012), Optimize your networking.Retrieved from: www.simmons.edu/cec/alums/toolkit/networking.php

everyone and anyone can benetwork contact.

us modes of networkingh as job fairs, alumnaes, community events, local jobups, and social media, canibility, and connect people forl networking and recruitment.

ING YOURSELF FOR CAREERMENT AND JOB SEEKINGdentifying contacts within ands, colleagues, acquaintances,and professionals who may

mation or know of someoneave connections to an area offore contacting people,concise introduction that statesof interest and objectives.e about your introduction from

ple in the field who are familiarnd your job search. Seeking

crucial component ofand can provide a betterng of the job market, help to

hods to get a job, andead to finding a job.

TWORKING TO GET ADVICE,ION AND REFERRALS:most valuable networkinginformational interview. Theal interview can be beneficials an opportunity to learn

er choices, employers, ora particular job. It is anto have exploratory

n with people in the socialssion network “who can givece and introduce you to others

elp you define your goals”012). It is important to be

the purpose and goals ofal interviewing. A. Thisa 15 to 30 minutes meeting,

ividual, and is an opportunitypecific information, career

referrals. The informationnot a job interview, but ratherto expand professional

at may be helpful at a latermber, as the initiator of this

meeting, there is planning that needs totake into consideration: identifyingcontacts, arranging the meeting,recognizing time constraints, preparingcontent for an agenda, preparing fordialogue, and follow up.

As a networking tool, the informationalinterview is one component to successfuljob finding and career development thatrequires special attention to follow upactivities. Write a thank you note thatidentifies helpful suggestions obtainedfrom the discussion. Follow up with theoriginal contact if they have referred you toanother person, and take time to reflect onwhat was learned, what information is stillneeded, and to develop a plan of action.

» USING SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKINGTO INCREASE VISIBILITY AND REACH:Social media is one of the fastestgrowing areas for finding a job andmaking contacts. In a recent 2011 surveyby the leading recruiting platform, JobviteSurvey, reveals that 89 percent of U.S.companies plan to use social media forrecruiting (Jobvite, 2012). One of thesocial media online professionalnetworks, LinkedIn promotes connectionsto people for professional networking andrecruitment. Even though there are otherweb sites such as Facebook andMySpace, LinkedIn caters to business andprofessional encounters. Primarily,LinkedIn is where people can developcontacts with others who have similarcareer interests.

The benefits of networking arelong-lasting and continuous throughoutone’s social work career. Whetherthrough social media outlets or face toface meetings, networking providesopportunities to talk with people,exchange ideas, and gain knowledgeabout career options, opportunities andjobs. Subsequently, in building andmaintaining these professional contacts,social workers will be developing areciprocal relationship where keyresources will be continuously availablefor future career networking.

©2012 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved.

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