Ask for some AIR as part of your networking strategy

Everyone needs some AIR for an effective job search. When we define AIR as Advice, Insight and Recommendations, it makes sense.

Advice – How often has someone asked for your advice and you turned them down? Probably not often, and if you didn’t have anything to say, you may refer them to someone else who can help. So go ahead and ask others for advice. Be bold. This is a great strategy for gathering information from reputable sources to help with your job search.

Insight – Have you ever reached out to someone for an Informational Interview? If you want to know more about a career, consider asking someone with primary experience for an informational interview. This brief meeting is an effective way to learn more and gain advice from someone with experience in a job, career path or industry that interests you. They can provide insight into working in a certain position or field, whether the role is a good fit for you and if you should pursue it. You can ask questions about what they like best about their job or how they got started in the industry. The insights they share will be invaluable for you.

Recommendations – The person you're speaking with knows others who may be willing to talk with you about their career, industry, or company. Use the final minutes of your informational interview to ask them to recommend two or three people who can help you increase your knowledge even more. Never hesitate to network! But remember, networking is not just about taking AIR from others. It is important to ask, “Is there anything that I can do for you?”  This is a terrific way to keep the conversation going and end on a positive note.

This Tip created with input from Career Pivot.

Check out the Networking category in Calgary Career Hub’s Virtual Resource Room: Click here to get more great Networking Information