Networking & Remaining Organized
IT staffing is a very fast paced industry. IT recruiters meet and speak with prospective candidates everyday. They tell you about their family, work, and sometimes their hobbies. Business cards and phone numbers are constantly given out. In addition, there are always new companies and technologies that IT recruiters need to keep up with in order to identify the right candidates for the IT jobs. Technical recruiters also need to make sure their candidates have the proper certifications. Now how do you keep up with all of these people?
From IT recruiters to prospective candidates, networking is essential. However, it doesn’t do you any good if you continue to network, yet fail to remain organized or follow up with the people you meet. If the person gives you a business card, make sure you jot down a few notes after they walk away so that when you pick up that card again you’ll know what you discussed when you first met. Another good idea is to keep a list on your computer of all the people you have met. Some examples of information you should note are where and when you met, as well as a few interesting topics you discussed.
So make sure that once you take note of the person and have their contact information, that you send them an email periodically in regards to their industry or a hobby they told you they were interested in. Just by checking in on them every once in awhile without referring to work could eventually land you a job that normally would have been hard to find.