How To Network And Build Influence While You Are Unemployed

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When you don’t have an income or any prospects for the future, networking becomes harder. You may not want to talk about your situation with anyone because it can make people uncomfortable. But there are still ways that we can meet new people and find jobs!

In this article, I will discuss how to overcome these challenges and get back on your feet again so that networking becomes easier while unemployed.

Things That You Can Do To Prepare Yourself To Network While You Are Unemployed

You’ve decided to take control over your career and make moves to try and land a better opportunity by networking with others. Before you start to mix and mingle take time to think about your strategy. You will be a lot more successful if you are organized as opposed to going with your gut.

Here are 6 things you can do to prepare yourself.

1. Conduct research.

While it may be difficult to decide which way to go in your search, this will require a careful self-assessment. Consider past experiences and aptitudes. Are you happy with the industry you are currently in? Or would you prefer another one or something completely different? You should also always stay connected with people in your field of interest through various social networks.

2. Put Your Plan On Paper.

If you are unemployed, you should make a complete list of your long and short-term goals. Create actionable plans for how to reach those goals, based not only on your experience but also on what others have done in similar situations.

3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch.

It is important to be prepared when asked what you do. It may be best to describe yourself as a job seeker or someone looking for openings as opposed to unemployed. Let people know which types of positions you’re interested in.

4. Update your LinkedIn Profile.

Reviewing your LinkedIn profile to ensure recent achievements are highlighted and your summary is engaging can help in your search for a new job.

5. Publish Your Ideas Online.

Get your name out there in the industry by starting a professional blog or contributing to an industry publication. If you aren’t ready to start your own website, you can start with a place like Medium.com for free.

6. Remember That You Have Value Regardless Of Your Unemployment.

Job-hunting can be tough on an individual, but it can seem especially difficult to stay positive when you have been searching for a position without success.

Consider what skills and abilities you’ve used in the past, emphasize these strengths, and be confident about the value you can add to any company.

Reaching Out to Your Network When You’re Unemployed

In this section, we will talk about how you can continue to network when you are unemployed.

1. Provide Help To Others.

Effective networking requires putting your needs aside and focusing on others. When you have a job referral, offer it sincerely with the intention of helping both parties. Giving freely without any expectation of return seems like it could be a waste, but helping others is absolutely the fastest way to succeed in life.

2. Invite Someone To Coffee.

When you are unemployed and on a tight budget, coffee dates can be a cheap way of networking.

3. Accept Temp Jobs.

Consider creative options to complete your job resume when you are unemployed or temporarily employed. Consider temporary assignments and contract work as a way to supplement your resume and find opportunities.

4. Volunteer In Your Industry.

Unpaid work can be extremely valuable to your professional development, so pick up new skills during this period. For example, you may want to volunteer at a local food bank, hospital, or local businessman.

5. Join A Professional Association (online or real life).

Consider browsing LinkedIn groups or your local professional association’s meetings to stay active in your industry to save money on networking.

6. Join A Job Search Group.

You may find job leads by joining a community of unemployed people. Consider attending an event or starting your own Facebook group to increase your influence.

7. Take Free Online Classes.

To strengthen your job hunt, seek additional training and education. There are plenty of websites that offer free to low-priced online courses like Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, edX, and even Harvard!

8. Stay In The Mix By Following Up With People.

Grow your professional network the way you would if you had a job: by checking in and staying in touch with people. These are just some tips on how to look for new opportunities while you’re unemployed.

Conclusion

You might be feeling discouraged because you are unemployed, but there are plenty of ways to keep your networking skills sharp and stay actively engaged with the industry.

First, don’t stop talking to people in your network – you never know when they can help you out or offer a lead that could turn into something permanent.

Second, think about how it feels when someone offers their services without expecting anything in return – wouldn’t you want to do the same for others?

Finally, consider what it is that motivates you most at this point in life and let others know. You’d be surprised at how willing people are to help you if they know what your life’s goals are.

Whether it’s finding an internship or landing a dream job your path to that goal will be that much faster if you network while you are unemployed.

Best of luck my friend!

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Nick Bryant

Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.