How do I reenter the workforce after a long absence? Build your network first!

Date: May 27, 2024

By: rocket50 Staff

Networking is the backbone of a successful career and it is never too late in life to develop one!

If you are over 50 and looking for a new job, research shows that 85% of jobs are found through networking. A strong network makes your personal brand stand out, connects you to other professionals, and makes it easier to find jobs and exchange industry expertise.

The best networks are the ones that were built over a lifetime. These are usually made up of former colleagues, business acquaintances and friends you have had over the years. You may not realize it at first glance, but if you look back over your career, most of you would have found your jobs and other opportunities through people in your network.

So, if you have been at the same job or company for a long time or reentering the workforce after a period of not working, getting back in contact with your old network and building up a new one is key to finding your new opportunity.

But how can you get started? Read on and discover how you can build and maintain lifelong networks.

Career Advancements

According to statistics, 70% of individuals hired at an organization already had a notable connection inside of the company they were hired at. With a more established network, your odds of landing a good job are higher, no matter the stage you’re in your career.

Access to Confidential Opportunities

Most director level positions  and up are rarely published online. Organizations prefer keeping these openings confidential, communicating them only to close contacts within their networks.

Connecting directly with company recruiters and hiring managers puts you on these companies’ radar, improving your chances of landing senior or executive positions.

Improved Insight

Stories shared with the contacts in your network give valuable insight into how to overcome various challenges in business and the workplace. You also get fresh ideas and inspiration that you can adopt in your work or business.

Referrals

Networking improves your chances of securing referrals at organizations directly or through hiring managers. A resume with a strong referral is more likely to get noticed by hiring managers, improving your chances of landing a role.

Organizations also prefer referrals because it saves them time and money in advertising, qualifying, and interviewing potential hires.

Who Should Be in Your Network?

There are no limits to who can be a contact in your network but it makes sense to choose people that fit into your professional interests and are well connected themselves. Of course needless to say, people with good reputations are important especially if they are referring you to others. It is always a good idea to be vigilant about your personal brand. Moreover, your contacts lead to new connections, so having a quality contact leads to more quality contacts.

The following people are some ideas the types of people who might be in your contact list

• Current and former co-workers
• Business partners and associates
• Fellow members of professional associations and social clubs
• Friends (and friends of friends) and family
• Sports and other extracurricular contacts
• People you know via professional services such as lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc
• People from your alumni organizations

The Three Most Common Types of Networking

Networking is typically divided into three categories. These are in-person networking, social media networking and professional networks.

In-Person Networking

This is the most commonly used and conventional way of building networks. You do in-person networking by attending events and conferences where you meet industry leaders and professionals face-to-face and create connections.

Typically, you’ll start by introducing yourself and connecting with attendees. Most of these events are structured with in-person networking in mind, therefore they facilitate communication between attendees and industry speakers.

Sure, it takes confidence to approach potential contacts and have meaningful conversations, but this is an important step to building your network.

Social Media Networking

Social media networking is the latest and fastest-growing networking category. A recent survey showed that up to 70% of hiring managers and recruiters use social media to find potential candidates for open positions.

Today the most powerful social media networking platform is LinkedIn. An outdated and inconsistent, and unprofessional LinkedIn profile can cause you to miss crucial opportunities, so make sure your profile is fully up to date with a good photo.

LinkedIn allows you to highlight your professional accomplishments and foster connections with hiring managers and industry leaders.

Professional Networking

A professional network is a group of people connected for business-related or career reasons. Members of the network are typically referred to as connections or contacts. They share information with each other which often includes job leads or business opportunities.

A network can be focused on helping each other solve work-related problems, providing information about prospective employees, employers, and clients, and recommending vendors and suppliers.

Therefore, depending on your contacts, a professional network benefits your career or business.

Build and Maintain Great Lifelong Networks

Lifelong networks will benefit whatever you choose to do. This is how you can build and maintain lifelong, life-changing networks.

Search for People On LinkedIn

When searching on LinkedIn to find quality contacts, look for people in your fields of interest that are either at a senior level or involved in your specific areas of interest and expertise. You can further expand your network by looking at who they are connected to and making requests for a connection. Also, when at a profile page in LinkedIn, you will see on the right side of the page, other people that have looked at that particular person. Check this out, might be someone of interest there.

Find Online Connections

Social media networking shouldn’t be restricted to LinkedIn only. You can search for online communities of like-minded individuals within your career or industry who share valuable information and offer great insights and support. You can join a free platform first, gauge your experience, then invest in paid platforms for a more premium experience.

Maintain Close Contact

After making connections, the most crucial phase is staying in touch and keeping yourself at the back of their minds when they come across opportunities you might be interested in. You can maintain close contact with your network through emails, coffee dates, phone calls, and social gatherings.

However, ensure you don’t come across as nagging or unprofessional with odd contacts or follow-ups. To keep things professional and respectful, use these regular contacts as an opportunity to ask for guidance, advice, resources, or mentorship.

Attend Relevant Events

Despite the rise of social media networking, most professionals still prefer face-to-face meetings to create and maintain lifelong networks. One of the best ways to keep face-to-face interactions is by attending relevant industry events, joining a Rotary or other type of social club.

These events present an opportunity to expand your network further while interacting with like-minded individuals.

Join a Vibrant Online Community Today

Networking is a never-ending process and even well into retirement, networking will help create opportunities for your new business or post-retirement hustle. Join Rocket50 today get the job you want and deserve!