I am about to graduate and be certified by May, but what is difficult is finding a job. Networking, a useful tool that I have been able to use a little, is a great way to get my name in the pool for a job. The only problem I have with this is, I do not know that many people who will be able to help me land the job I want. I know a couple of AT’s back home and a handful of people who work within a school system that would be more than willing to help me out once I am done with school. I just don’t have a broad network as of right now. I know how to broaden my network now after being in college for four years. When I was younger the only way I would talk to someone was if they would talk to me, but now I can confidently talk to anyone and figure out if they like me. I actually tried this with one of my roommate’s dad. He is an Athletic Director at a High School so I just asked how their AT’s work and get hired out there. He explained everything to me as I listened and asked questions as well. I was trying to leave the impression that I was serious about my major while creating a new opportunity. Before he left to go back home, he asked me if I wanted to know more that he would send my information to the guy that contracts out the AT’s in Richmond. So that was my first networking building experience, and I think it went as good as it could have. He was obviously more inclined to like me because I am his son roommate, but it was still good practice to see if I could create that opportunity for myself. If I had to talk to someone at conference who had no prior knowledge of who I am, I think that would be much harder to do. Either way though, I am going to show interest in what he or she is saying, sell my skill sets and knowledge of AT (subtlety), and leave with an impression that I am personable. I could be wrong of course, as many people are just different and may not like someone who is trying to push themselves onto another. That is why you have to listen when someone talks to get a good feel of what kind of personality they have. It may sound like I am judging, but I am trying to figure how I need to talk to this person. If they are very lively then I can be a bit more relaxed with, but if they seem more serious then I need to as professional as I can. Building a relationship with someone in a positive manner will highly increase my network which in the long run may just land me a job here soon.
1 Comment
BFunk
3/18/2019 06:26:35 am
Doesn't always need to be a subtle sell...just a confident one. Sounds like you are doing well to grow your network!
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