The Off-Broadway musical parody Forbidden Broadway opens with the song “Who Do They Know?” This song makes fun of all the big names on Broadway, teasing that individuals like Liza Minelli only got where she did because Judy Garland is her mother, not because of her talent. Perhaps for some individuals, this is the case. Still, even if you have talent and skill, if nobody knows it you will not make much progress. Who you know does matter.
In the past networking to find the right people to share your skills with might have been difficult. Luckily, today it’s easier than ever. Forget making cold calls and setting up meetings in stuffy offices. Start using apps to connect with individuals you wouldn’t have even dreamed of meeting, who might be looking for talent like yours. These are some of the current best networking apps available.
Career-Building Apps
Career building apps are important for anyone who is interested in connecting with potential employers, or employees. They are also good ways to connect with seminars or presentations pertinent to your interests and career goals. You can connect with current coworkers or future ones. The possibilities for these apps are endless.
LinkedIn is probably the best known app for anyone trying to advance their career. It’s a great way to create connections with people you may already know and start new ones with those you don’t. It’s up to you how much information you put up about yourself. You can even make yourself open to recruiters, or recruit individuals yourself.
1 Million Cups
Are you interested in learning about a particular subject that could boost your career? 1 Million Cups may just be the app you’re looking for. It allows you to find presentations in your area with your interests in mind. Join other like-minded individuals who are looking to find information or just make acquaintances.
If you need to improve your public speaking skills or want feedback on how an important presentation will go open it up to the public. You’ll have the ability to get real-time feedback and be prepared for any questions that may be thrown your way.
Apps That Lead to Face-to-Face Connections
When using apps to network it’s important to remember that having an online presence is not enough. You’re a human and as such you need face to face interactions. If you meet an individual that you seem to connect, with take the extra step and meet them face-to-face. When a position comes up, a hiring manager is more likely to remember people s/he has meet in person. This is also beneficial to entrepreneurs and small business owners. You might meet an angel investor or grantor. If you’re a small business owner when you start to expand you’ll need new employees. Who better to hire than someone that you already trust to be the right fit?
Shapr
Shapr is like a dating app without the romance. It links to your LinkedIn account. You build your profile and it matches you with like-minded people with similar career goals. All you have to do is swipe through your matches. When a mutual interest has been made then you have the ability to speak with one another. From there it is up to you to initiate contact and create a bond that could be career-changing.
In Person
In Person is a mix between Shapr and LinkedIn. Just like Shapr, connects to your LinkedIn account. It allows you to meet people near you on a whim. Stuck in an airport? No problem. Interested in meeting and making a memorable impression on someone at a conference, trade show, or, expo? Here’s your chance!
Make the most of Conferences, Expos, and Trade Shows
In large conferences, career expos, and trade shows it can be really difficult to set yourself apart. This is true whether you’re recruiting or looking for a job. Environments like this have the potential to feel a bit chaotic, and even if you like someone it may be hard to remember which one had which trait that you liked. That’s where these apps come in.
Bizzabo
Bizzabo helps you find not just people but also events going on near you. It will also provide agendas for you, and allow you to answer polls the host may offer. Additionally, you can find out who is attending and contact them. This can allow you to set up a meeting and really set yourself apart from the random attendees.
Whova
While very similar to Bizzabo, Whova also lets you save the business cards you collect at large events. By scanning in the card it builds a deeper profile and background on the individual your meeting or just met. Plus it also supports other languages like Chinese and Korean.
Networking can often feel like a waste of time if you’re talking to individuals that you don’t share a connection with. By applying these applications to your job search, and recruiting tactics it really takes a lot of the pain out of getting to know the right employer or candidate. Even if you’re not actively looking for a job or employees it’s always a good idea to keep your network open. That way, when you need those resources they are right at your fingertips.
PHOTO: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain