Have you ever wondered if it’s really worth your time to network with people you don’t know? Can a stranger really help you find a job?
In a study on the varying strengths of networking connections, Facebook analyzed U.S. user profiles to see how strong and weak ties influenced job search. The findings showed that “weaker ties are useful because they are numerous, but that a single stronger tie is more useful than a single weaker tie.” In short, both weak and strong ties help your job search.
Facebook realizes that only 54 percent of U.S. adults have a Facebook profile and that not all interactions take place on this social network. However, the findings still represent the power and influence of personal connections during a job hunt.
[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]
The power of strong ties. According to Facebook’s research, “stronger ties had higher probabilities of helping a person find a job.” And this makes sense. Your close friends are more likely to help you find a job. They care about you and are willing to go the extra mile. The downside is that you have a limited number of close friends. This is where the power of weak ties comes in.
The power of weak ties. The value of weak ties is in their numbers. You have more acquaintances than close friends, and therefore the larger quantity is what improves the probability that these weaker ties will help your job search. Weak ties don’t know you as well, however, but are still willing to help.
Based on Facebook’s findings, it is fair to say that everyone you know can potentially help you during your job search if you let them know you are actively seeking a new role. Job search is a game of numbers, so you’ll want to tap into both the quantity and quality of your network.
For maximum results, your job search strategy should incorporate using both strong and weak ties. Here are four things you can do to tap into the power of your network.
[See: The 25 Highest-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree.]
Announce your search on social media as a status update. Only do this if you are openly looking for a new job — in other words, if you are unemployed or will become available for a new job soon. Adding a new status update announcing your availability is a fast and easy way to let your network know you are available. Use Facebook, LinkedIn and even Instagram to notify your network. Keep your message positive and don’t assume everyone will know what you are looking for. Specify the type of role you are interested in next.
Make a list. Put pen to paper and write down everyone you know. This brainstorming activity forces you to recall names of people you used to work with, clients, vendors and suppliers, family, friends, neighbors, alumni, people you volunteer with and even people you know from your religious or political affiliations. Once you’ve listed your contacts, you can begin to systematically reach out. Remember, no contact is a bad contact. You never know whom someone knows until you ask.
Reach out individually. Don’t send a mass email to everyone you know. No one likes impersonal email messages and you’re less likely to get a response. With your list in hand, use LinkedIn and Facebook to begin researching where these people work. Armed with this information, you are ready to personalize your message to each person on your list. Remember, you are asking for advice, information or recommendations for your targeted job search. Do not just say you are looking for a new job. Share the types of roles you are looking for and even the companies you are interested in working at. The more specific you are, the better quality leads you will receive.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
Don’t forget to ask for new contact names. Part of your job search strategy is to broaden the reach of your message and expand your network. This allows you to reach people who do not know you yet but may know about job opportunities. The most effective way to do this is to get a referral from one of your friends. Ask for names of other people to speak with. Simply ask the question, “Who else would you recommend I speak with for more information about [a company, industry or role you are interested in]?” You can either let your contact make the introduction or better yet, offer to reach out directly and use your friend’s name. No one cares more about your job search than you. By offering to take control of the outreach, you can speed up the process.
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Getting a Job With the Help of Strong and Weak Ties originally appeared on usnews.com