Island Parent Magazine Winter 2023

Job Search Help your teen develop networking skills
Statistics show that 80 percent of job vacancies
are not advertised. In some regions, that percentage
is higher. Networking is a vital way to identify
work opportunities and connect with potential
employers in the “hidden” job market.
Your teen’s current social circle, both online
and offline, is a good place to start to expand
their network of acquaintances, but there are also
other excellent networking opportunities listed
below. Whatever networking strategies your teen
employs, expanding their network will expand their
prospects.
Networking for Career Development
Volunteer. This is a fine method for broadening
their network and allowing prospective employers
to discover their abilities. Youth can gain experience,
make connections, demonstrate their skills
and get noticed. Volunteering provides an opportunity
for word to spread about your child’s talents
and availability. And sometimes paid employment
grows directly out of volunteer activities.
Join a job club. For those who are eligible, job
clubs have many advantages: youth quickly find
out they are not alone, discover which job-search
methods that are working for people, and gain
a built-in network of people who know people.
Someone in the job club may have a friend or relative
looking for a landscaper, which may be your
teen’s job target. You never know when an opportunity
could present itself.
Encourage your teen to find groups in their
area(s) of interest. Suggest they join a new
group to build their network. If they like computers
and are passionate about programming, find a
programming user group. Such groups allow you
to build lasting, mutually helpful professional relationships.
As they become connected, they’ll likely
discover career opportunities.
If they don’t know how to find a group, they can
use a search engine like Google or Meetup to find
groups in their field and community. For example,
search “Programming user group Nanaimo.”
Tell community groups they are a part of. Organizations
they are already part of may have many
members, some of whom already know your teen
well. Talk to them about your career or job-search
goals. If people don’t know that they’re looking for
work, then they can’t share any opportunities with
prospective employees.
Social media networking. These days, social
media is an excellent method for connecting with
employers and job opportunities. Find out more
about using social media in their job search below.
Attend job fairs. Job fairs are another great
opportunity to connect with people: employers who
are seeking workers, employment service providers
and other job seekers. Even if a company isn’t
looking for someone with your teen’s background,
they may know of someone else who is. They may
be happy to pass on their resume or keep it for
their own future needs. Encourage teens to be proactive
and do some homework on the companies
they plan to approach at the job fair (participating
companies are usually listed in advance event
notices). Their obvious interest and preparation will
increase their chances of winning an interview.
When networking, always remind your teen to
thank the people who have given them advice or
contacts by emailing or mailing them a thank-you
note. Networking is all about building relationships.
Showing that they appreciate the time of a person
who helps them is their investment in a relationship
that may ultimately benefit both parties.
WorkBC offers direct access to the world of work
in B.C. For more tips and job search strategies, visit
workbc.ca.
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38 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca