The Power of a Social Network

Since leaving university, and especially in recent months, I have come to realise just how important having a social network is for any young person attempting to pursue an ambitious career. When using the term ‘social network’, I am not referring to Facebook, Twitter, or indeed the multi-award winning movie by the same name – although the use of social media will be discussed later. What I refer to is an actual network of contacts in your particular industry. More than ever it has become about who you know rather that what you know or even where you’ve been educated. In this blog post I will try to explain why I think building a social network as early as possible is integral to succeeding in a chosen career.

Why is a Social Network important?

Graduates of the past few years have been categorised as Generation Y, or Gen Y. I am part of Gen Y and can vouch for just how competitive the job market is. My chosen career has been in politics and I have reliable evidence to suggest that to work for an MP, or to get a job within a Public Affairs consultancy, you’ll have to make your CV and covering letter stand out amongst a stack of over two hundred others. That is two hundred candidates with honours degrees from top universities, extensive knowledge of the political system and a passion for politics. But more often than not the candidates that get through to an interview stage are there because they know somebody within the hiring organisation and have had inside knowledge of what criteria the HR department/Member of Parliament is using to differentiate the two hundred applicants*.

Building a social network of contacts within your chosen industry can allow you to have a heads-up on a position becoming available. Many organisations will trust the judgement of their current employees to recommend their contacts to apply for vacancies and avoid a potentially lengthy process of recruiting externally – not to mention the volume of applicants! As well as the benefit of the heads-up, having someone within your social network who works within the organisation to which you’re applying will not only help you to know about an opening and assist you with the initial application, but they’ll be able to give you tips on what sort of person is required to fill a position. Then, when you sit down in the interview you are already in the mindset of what it is like to be an employee of the hiring organisation.

The benefits of a social network are not solely around getting a job and it must be added that a social network is certainly not a foolproof plan to getting a job but I am personally convinced that it will assist any candidate in getting closer to the top of the two hundred. Furthermore, a social network can assist you with advice, personal development and more.

*I accept there will be many exceptions and take nothing away from those who have successfully gained employment without the use of a social network 

Building a Social Network

This is not an easy task. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have made making connections relatively simple. These platforms have their use and when used correctly can aid the construction of a social network. But from personal experience nothing can replace meeting like-minded people face-to-face at the numerous networking opportunities available to Gen Y. Again from a personal perspective, when building a network in the political arena there are a number of networking opportunities that come highly recommended: shamelessly my own organisation, Generation 2 Generation, aims to host events where leaders in politics, business and journalism can meet the potential leaders of tomorrow; The Public Affairs Network hosts an excellent and very popular monthly networking drinks; and for those Gen Y’ers who want to network with fellow political party activists then Conservative Future, Young Fabians, Liberal Youth and others all offer excellent social events and opportunities to meet new people.

Business cards are at the heart of building a social network. Swap them at any opportunity.

Using a Social Network

The important thing to remember about a social network is that the people within it do not have to become your best friends, nor do they have to be on your Christmas card list, they are those people who will call on you with a heads-up on a vacancy or someone who you can share advice with over a coffee or a beer.

Finally, do not underestimate the power of a Social Network. As jobs become harder and harder to come by, students, graduates and young professionals should build and utilise their very own social networks.