Every job seeker will realize at some point in their search that they will need to learn new, and maybe not so comfortable, job search skills.  Networking could be one job search task you are avoiding, but it is one skill that will increase your success. It may mean getting out of your comfort zone, but how far out depends on your definition of ‘networking’.

Networking is often confused with sales but if sales is a dirty word to you, you are probably sticking to simply firing off resumes to online postings, hoping for the best.

To accelerate your job search success, open your mind to this definition.

“Networking is the process of gathering, collecting, and distributing information for the mutual benefit of you and the people in your network.”  (Source:  Power Networking.  55 Secrets for Personal & Professional Success by Donna Fisher & Sandy Vilas).

No need to be aggressive and impersonal.  All you have to do is get to know more people outside of your current network.   The research supports that this is the best way to get leads.

In a 1973 landmark study called, The Strength of Weak Ties, Mark Granovetter of John Hopkins University, found that the best leads for job opportunities are more likely to come from your more distant acquaintances (weak ties) rather than your close friends (strong ties). Why? As explained by Cornell professors, David Easley and Jon Kleinberg in Networks, Crowds, and Markets, “The closely-knit groups that you belong to, though they are filled with people eager to help, are also filled with people who know roughly the same things that you do.” The point: our distant acquaintances have the ability to expose you to job openings that you and your friends just can’t know about.

https://www.leadershipcloseup.com/2012/12/14/strength-of-weak-ties-in-social-networking-seek-to-be-worth-knowing/

 It’s less about selling yourself and more about developing mutually beneficial relationships.  You are networking for advice and information, you are not asking for favours or jobs.  Networking in this way will certainly enrich your life,  is less frightening, yet still very effective for job seekers.

In order to network, you do have to feel good enough to get out there and meet people.  Don’t neglect your own self-care.  Take care of yourself, take breaks, and be kind to yourself.  Your inner networker will shine through and help you get the job you want.

The Black Press Extreme Education & Career Fair is this Thursday, February 8th from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm in Comox. Roughly 50 employers and educational institutions will be on hand. For more information see this week’s hot sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

The Beach Club Resort lives and breathes our values of Respect, Honesty and Service to Others in everything we do. We make it our mission to ensure that all of our colleagues receive the same service as our guests would expect and we treat our team respectfully and fairly. We believe that a fantastic work environment is the core of what makes happy colleagues who subsequently provide outstanding service to our guests as well as everyone they interact with.

 

How many employees do you have?

Approximately 60 colleagues at this time as we are currently in our slower season which we can see nearly doubling during the summer.

 

What do you look for in a new employee?

The Beach Club Resort looks for individuals to join our team who are looking for more than just coming to work. We are looking for enthusiastic colleagues to make a difference in what they do. We are not looking for individuals who have experience but are looking for those who have an inherent service culture. A warm and welcoming smile is more important than an extensive list of previous employers.

 

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Be prepared to work hard work with to strict deadlines but also be prepared to have fun whilst employed at The Beach Club Resort.

 

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so for what types of positions?

Definitely we do. As we prepare for our Summer season, we will need additional colleagues to fill a variety of positions such as Room Attendants, Cooks, Dishwashers, Servers, and Front Desk Agents.

 

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

E-mail us a copy of your resume to beachclub@bellstar.ca and state the position you are interested in working with us, or feel free to just drop off a resume at the front desk.

CBI Home Health is actively hiring Care Aides and will be at the Career Centre next Wednesday, February 7th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ! Come meet with a HR representative and learn more about working with CBI Home Health. For more information and upcoming events see this week’s hot sheet.