Networking Resumes: Is It A Must-Have in Your Job Search Toolkit?
Have you heard of a networking resume?
No? Well, it could be a helpful tool when looking for a new job.
It differs from the resume you use to apply for a role.
A networking resume is a document that highlights your professional background, skills, and accomplishments with the specific goal of making connections and expanding your professional network. You can use it to facilitate networking opportunities, build relationships, and showcase your expertise and value to potential contacts, mentors, colleagues, or industry professionals.
So, instead of feeling icky about bringing your full resume to a networking event or sending it ahead of a networking call, you will now have a specially designed document to provide to others that can tell your story in one page.
You will be amazed at the positive reception from others who are glad to have the information and surprised that they have never seen one before.
So, How Can You Use A Networking Resume?
Because the format of a networking resume is so flexible, it can be used for many purposes. Here are a few examples of where a networking resume can be helpful.
Informational interview
In-person networking get-together
For people who you are asking for assistance with your job search
You can also use it for non-job search activities.
To potential mentors to give them an overview of who you are
Attachment to a proposal
Attachment to a funding request or business partnership
Speaker profile for talks or presentations
And the good thing is that you do not have to have only one. You can have several versions that can be used for a specific purpose.
You Do Not Have To Worry About An Applicant Tracking System
Unlike a regular job application resume, networking resumes are meant for connecting with people. You never have to worry about an Applicant Tracking System reading it. With a networking resume, you can add elements one should avoid on a traditional resume. Text boxes and graphic elements are fine. Columns are not a problem. You don't have to stress about including specific keywords, either. Just don’t go overboard. Remember, the human reader wants to get the information quickly. Your formatting should enhance the information, not detract from it.
Elements That Can Be On A Networking Resume
Because of the flexibility of this document, you can have many different types of elements. Here are some that you might want to have.
Contact Information: Include your full name, email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile URL, and link to your portfolio and personal website. Optional is to add your city and state or other social media addresses.
Career Target: When networking with others, a career target helps you clarify your goals and intentions. It provides a clear and concise statement about what you're seeking in your career, making it easier for people to understand your aspirations. You can include the level of role you seek, specific titles, or industry.
Strengths or Value Proposition: It streamlines networking conversations by giving contacts a quick overview of what you can offer, making it easier for them to identify potential collaboration or support opportunities. It makes clear what you bring to the table.
Personal Brand: You can add a personal brand statement that states what you stand for and what sets you apart from others in your field. You can also include your core values or your professional mission or vision.
Expertise: The expertise section provides a skills inventory and a clear overview of your capabilities. This can include your technical, soft, or industry-specific skills.
Brief Work History: It helps you highlight specific roles or experiences directly related to your networking goals or your target industry. Try to add relevant specifics and scope of work. This should not be a duplication of your resume’s experience section.
Wins and Accomplishments: It showcases your ability to impact your field positively. They illustrate the concrete value you've brought to your previous roles and projects.
Education and Certifications: It provides evidence of your educational background, allowing others to verify your qualifications and knowledge.
Memberships: Demonstrate your active involvement in relevant professional organizations or associations, showcasing your commitment to your field and industry.
Board Positions: If you serve on a board, include that information on your networking resume if it is relevant.
Leadership: This can include titles and organization to showcase your leadership experience. You can also add specific leadership skills and key accomplishments, initiatives you led, and any positive impact you made.
Targeted Organizations and People: If you are looking to work in a specific organization or want to be introduced to specific individuals, you can add a section with this information to your networking resume. It will help those who read it think about how they can help you get information or introductions.
Networking Resume Example
Kate Pozeznik (www.linkedin.com/in/katepozeznik) provided me with an example of a networking resume. In this example, she has incorporated several of the elements discussed. There is a professional summary, a section about this person’s leadership, a short professional experience area, what this person is known for, key challenges and results, and even a quote.
As Kate says about her networking resume:
“I developed a one-page resume that functions well as a networking tool. The format is intentional; it’s simple and easy to skim, includes borders and shading to separate and highlight information, and showcases the candidate’s top skills. In addition, the reader can quickly identify the types of challenges the candidate can solve, along with examples of how they overcame them in the past. Since I had a little room left at the bottom of the resume, I added the candidate’s self-written philosophy, which sheds light on their professional priorities and motivations.”
It provides a nice way for Jim to introduce himself and showcase what others might quickly want to know about him.
Conclusion
I hope I have convinced you that a networking resume could be a great addition to your marketing toolkit. It can be a valuable tool for connecting with professionals and advancing your career. Remember to customize your resume for your networking objectives, highlight what you can offer, and showcase your expertise. It will help you stand out from the crowd in a good way.
Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. I help job seekers prepare for interviews. You can engage me to help you prep for any type of interview. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.