Using your network in job searching
Building Your Networks
Networking is not just about handing out business cards at events – at its core, it is about creating genuine connections between people, having conversations, sharing experiences, and helping one another. By building your professional network already during your studies, you are laying the foundation for your future career. Every contact can open doors, offer support, tell you about job openings, or even help you discover a completely new direction. Follow Metropolia’s JobTeaser and events to find the best opportunities to grow your professional networks already as a student.
Your networks are all those people who can give you information, support, and opportunities in your working life. Your network includes fellow students, teachers, work placement supervisors, former and current colleagues, mentors, hobby groups, and many others with whom you have interacted at events or in projects. The strength of networks lies in the fact that through just one connection, your network can grow into a valuable professional safety net.
Everyone has different types of networks they can use in life. Your personal network is made up of family, friends, and acquaintances – this often forms the base for your professional network. Your professional network grows through interaction with different people in your field, for example at sector events. Online networks are created through interaction on different platforms and forums. These make it easy for you to expand your network internationally and to get professional peer support.
Approach new situations with openness and curiosity – get to know people during your studies, group assignments, and events. Take part in student organisations and hobby groups to gain a wide range of contacts, which may become surprisingly useful, even years later. Seize opportunities to take part in training, networking events, job fairs, and seminars, where you can introduce yourself to new people and discuss interesting topics in your field.
In a network, mutual help and cooperation are vital. When you help someone else by, for example, telling them about a job opening, sharing your experiences from a work placement, or introducing them to one of your own contacts, you might find yourself getting help in return when you least expect it. An active and helpful attitude makes you a memorable and reliable member of the network, and others will want to think of you when they hear about new opportunities.
Tips for a Positive Networking Experience
- Before attending an event, set yourself a clear goal for networking. For example, decide whether you want to find a work placement, gather information about your sector, or meet a representative from a specific organisation.
- Find out more about the event and the people attending. You can check the programme, search for participants’ backgrounds on LinkedIn, and take notes on people you find interesting.
- Practise talking about your skills and prepare an introduction. Write a short ‘elevator pitch’, such as “I’m X, I study Y and I’m especially interested in Z field because…” and rehearse it with a friend.
- Dress appropriately for the occasion. If it’s a formal event, choose smart clothes; for a more relaxed setting, neat jeans and a shirt are fine.
- Start conversations confidently with different people. You can approach others by asking what brought them to the event or what they expect from it.
- Listen actively and join in conversations. Show your interest by nodding, asking follow-up questions and referring back to earlier points in the conversation, to show you are involved.
- Exchange contact details. You can hand out a business card or suggest connecting on LinkedIn right away using your phone.
- After the event, send a message the next day about your meeting. Thank them for the conversation, mention something you discussed, and maybe suggest meeting up for a coffee or staying in touch.
LinkedIn is currently one of the most important professional social media channels. It works as your online CV and portfolio, but is also a platform for networking, discussions, and reaching potential employers. You should update your profile regularly and, as well as your skills, also include your interests, goals, and keywords that employers might use when searching for new talent. By joining discussions, commenting, and sharing content related to your field, you’ll be easier to remember and easier to discover.
Experiences from your studies and work placements, project work and interesting lessons learned are valuable content to share on social media. By posting about your student projects, sharing your insights, or, for example, posting a photo from your work placement, you demonstrate activity and interest in your field. Network confidently with more experienced professionals, too: ask for advice, join conversations, and build your expert identity even before your working life begins.
Job searching is not limited to LinkedIn. You can also find opportunities or valuable information about events and employers in your field through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or even TikTok. Joining sector-specific groups and channels and participating actively in discussions will make you more visible and can lead to new connections. Companies and recruiters post job adverts and news on these platforms as well – follow the accounts of employers that interest you.
Everything you post or comment publicly on social media helps shape your professional image. High-quality, active communication shows your interest in your field and can result in messages from employers or potential partners. Interact, share tips, comment on others’ successes and remember to always keep a positive and constructive attitude. Media literacy is also important: follow discussions and trends, but filter information and remember you don’t need to respond to everything.
At first, networking and using social media may feel unfamiliar, but being brave, sharing, and making contact will be rewarded. Think about who in your network could help you move forward, and reach out today – even if it’s just to ask how they are or get tips. If you haven’t created a LinkedIn profile, do it now and connect with a few classmates or work placement supervisors. Share a small update about your skills or comment on an interesting discussion and see how it increases your visibility. Every new step in building your social network brings you closer to your dream job and could be the key to your next career opportunity.
Social Media to Support Your Job Search
Openness and activity on social media are now an important part of a jobseeker’s daily life. Through social media, you can present your skills and goals, follow discussions in your field, find open jobs, hear about companies’ current recruitment activities and easily grow your professional visibility. When used well, social media can be a powerful job-hunting tool – but remember, employers increasingly check jobseekers’ social media profiles, too.