Interactions – at all times and at all levels – impact on how future interviews might play out
Building your reputation and network has always been sound career advice but, in today’s unprecedentedly competitive environment, these phenomena could become instant dealmakers or -breakers when job hunting.
The traditional CV submission and social media job search process is in disarray, which means that the cultivation of a strong network and stellar professional reputation that precedes you are more important than ever. While there aren’t readily available high-level statistics for the number of applications employers generally receive per vacancy in South Africa, a deep dive into LinkedIn’s applicant counts per job listing is sobering, showing that there are literally thousands of applications whenever a single role is advertised.
Within this context, you need more in your arsenal than qualifications and experience. Your AI keywords can be on point, your CV flawless and your online presentation attractive – but most of your competition for any given role will boast the same. This is where your reputation – good or bad – and networks make the difference. The bridges you’ve burnt in the past will get you eliminated from the outset.
Everyone’s connected
One of the first things hiring managers will do (assuming your application reached their desk), is to have a look at your online presence. Apart from the issue of professional online conduct, they will also look for connections. Who do you and the manager or company have in common? Chances are they will find something far sooner than six degrees of separation – and therein lies the rub.
In the past, individuals would mostly take care not to burn bridges with more senior colleagues, managers or clients, while not always taking the same care to be a decent human being towards peers, less senior colleagues or others they come into contact with. Today, anyone serious about their career must consider their entire ecosystem.
Any untoward actions can have consequences down the line and anyone you may have dealt with in the past can impact your future prospects – whether that person was a colleague, an acquaintance, someone you interviewed in the past, someone who interviewed you in the past, the secretary at your first job or a service provider – the possibilities are endless.
It is important to understand that building and maintaining professional relationships can impact your career trajectory – significantly. Every interaction counts, from colleagues to clients. Referrals and personal connections are increasingly essential for landing interviews. It is therefore vital to always conduct yourself as if the people you are engaging with will be in your ecosystem sometime in the future. Treat everyone professionally, with dignity and integrity, regardless of which table you are sitting at.
Text | Advaita Naidoo
Photography | Rawpixel.com
Advaita Naidoo is Africa MD at Jack Hammer.
For more information, go to jhammerglobal.com
