Use These 5 Hacks to Become a Pro Business Networker

Job markets in Australia are as cutthroat as ever. Any advantage that you can get, even the slightest, can make or break your chances of landing that dream job. The tiniest of things can make or break your prospective future employment, so it doesn’t hurt to hoard any tips and tricks you can get your hands on. From social to virtual aspects, all play a pivotal role in your future job, so let’s take a look at how can you become a better business networker.

1. Slow and steady wins the race

Treat your future employment as a marathon, not a race. Lots of people in HR or hiring positions know how to filter out the noise and aggressive proposals. The organic approach is what gets the job done here. Don’t push yourself onto your contact at the first meeting but, instead, try to form a meaningful and future relationship with them.

 Someone is meeting you for the first time so, it’s important to leave the right first impression. Overly needy, aggressive, and clingy is not something anyone is searching for in a job candidate. Just try to imagine yourself in the opposite position where you are deciding who gets the job. With a bit of empathy, you will realize just how important it is to properly express yourself.

2.  Build and maintain your business contact

In the cutthroat world of business, a speck of humanity goes a long way. And it stands out as a matter of fact. Simple and honest things like a happy birthday email to someone or a follow-up about a conversation that you had can make all the difference. After all, once you start talking with someone, you have already separated yourself from the mass and have their attention. 

Conversing about mutual interests can lead to you expressing your strong points and expertise and getting a conversation going where you want it to be. Dropping in out of the blue with requests and demands doesn’t get you past the front door. As we all know, that space is reserved for our friends, and they show compassion, interest and partake in our lives. All the qualities you need to implement at your future employer.

3. Your LinkedIn/website is your business card

In the 21st century, the job market has become virtual and, LinkedIn is the place to be. Of course, as such, everyone is making noise, hustling, and elbowing their way thru there. There are thousands of articles about optimizing your LinkedIn profile out there, with loads of tips and tricks on making it the one that will be chosen for the job. 

From portfolios to professionally done corporate headshots, there is no shortage of unique and interesting ways, that make your profile more appealing. It’s all fair in love and war, so go all out and do what it takes to land you that dream job. After all, motivation, dedication, and attention to detail are desirable qualities in a job candidate.

4. Practice your elevator pitch

Practice makes perfect and, it doesn’t hurt to try. Take a stopwatch and measure just one minute. See how much you can say during that minute. Now, try to sell, or upsell, yourself as well as you can. Take a sheet of paper and write it all down. Then start editing and condensing. You have to say what future employers want to hear. 

They work with a lot of information on a day-to-day basis and know how to filter out white noise. Your job is to get into their head with a melody of a job request that they can’t deny. Or, at the very least, the one that will be stuck in their head long after.

5. It’s all about whom you know

You heard this a dozen times but, it doesn’t hurt hearing it again. Realizing just how important it is to know people makes for a fundamental first step. One that will get your foot in the door for that matter. All you have to do is take a look at your current circle of friends and relatives. Some of them are probably successful in their fields or have any say in the corporate ladder. 

Now, we are not saying that you should barge in or demand anything from them at the get-go, but inviting them for a coffee or a drink and catch up is a good start. Just ask yourself if you would rather do a favor for a stranger or someone you know. Then you will realize the importance of business relationships.

Making any or all changes can already differentiate you from the rest of the pack. Tipping the scales in your favor is a meticulous game, one that you should stack to your advantage as much as possible. After you land your dream job, the one that you deserve, you will realize it was all worth it.